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.

Summer Solstice

Gathering to Reflect on Sacred Texts
Sunday, June 27, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street

This week's summer solstice prompted curiosity, exploration, and reflection on creation stories - particularly those parts concerning the creation or appearance of light. This coming Sunday we will engage some of these stories and reflect together on the on-going power of their meaning. Undoubtedly, the conversation will be very "enlightening"!

Upcoming Offering Recipient: Project Dignidad

These days Old Mother Hubbard is not the only one with an empty cupboard - Project Dignidad is also in desperate need of supplies, so this coming Sunday, we will be collecting both a monetary offering and a food offering for Project Dignidad. The challenge: if you bring something to share with The Gathering's potluck, then bring at least twice as much, with the extra going for our offering. Remember though, Project Dignidad collects food for their pantry, so bring canned and boxed goods. And for those really looking for a challenge - don't bring anything for The Gathering's potluck - just provide for Project Dignidad! Let's be sure that cupboard is no longer bare!

July Gatherings
Each Sunday in July, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust

July 4 - Cool Conversations while Cooking-Out
July 11 - Neil will lead a discussion on the contemplation of origin, meaning and humanity from a perspective few have gazed.
July 18 - Ann and Neil will engage the community in conversation re: an article by Bishop John Shelby Spong.
July 25 - Trudy will lead us in exploring and experiencing a prayerful meditation.


Cool Conversations while Cooking-Out

Neil, Crockett, and Ann have put together a great plan for our July 4th Gathering. Neil writes:

July 4th we will gather for celebration and connection. Crockett and Neil will provide grills for hamburgers and such. Bring your preference of dogs or burgers and whatever else you like cooked on the grill as we celebrate independence in good company. "Nothing formal just fun" is the phrase of the day. Be sure to bring fixings for your meat dish as well as chips, relish, baked/red beans, potato salad and iced tea. Come join us in relational delight as we acknowledge our national heritage.

In order to keep the group posted about what's coming and what's needed, let us know what you're bringing. thegatheringsanangelo@yahoo.com

Serving Angelo State University Students at United Campus Ministries

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Food 4 Thought ministry at UCM Wednesday, July 23 - particularly Ann Light for organizing the ministry and Howard Green for being present at UCM the entire time. We served more than 18 people - a mixture of students, UCM staff, and Gatherers, and all seemed to enjoy themselves. The hotdogs, chili, potato salad and rest of the meal were delicious - made more so because of good conversations. What a delight it also was to reconnect with students who've left ASU and have now returned for more classes and/or graduate work. For the help you all provided so that this day of service was possible - thank you.

Grateful to be in sacred community with you:

Rev. Karen Schmeltekopf

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

Still Blooming in the Desert

Centering Prayer

This third Sunday of the month is our contemplative prayer time, and our theme this month is centering prayer. In the words of centeringprayer.com, "Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship." The website continues:

"Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer - verbal, mental or affective prayer - into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with God."

Father Thomas Keating, the priest we have seen with philosopher Ken Wilbur on the Integral Spirituality DVD, will be our model for this practice; you can find him describing the prayer method on this youtube video. Our offering will be designated for United Campus Ministries, a "prayerful place" for many students, and our potluck will be anything - with the notion that our very preparation and engagement with food can be a prayer in itself.

Sunday's Gathering, 6/20
Centering Prayer
5:30 PM, 618 Locust Street


Food 4 Thought, United Campus Ministry - Wednesday, June 23

It is again time to prepare and serve the hungry students at the ASU United Campus Ministries, and just in time for summer, we'll be serving the classic summer meal: hot dogs, buns, potato salad, beans and cookies for dessert. About 25 persons will probably attend.

Ann Light is corralling the food and Gatherers, so contact her if you can help. She says lots of folks have responded so far, and all we need to round out the meal are cookies and potato salad. We need to have the food to Ann either before Wednesday, or at United Campus Ministries, 2453 Dena Drive, by 10:30 on Wednesday. The students are always glad for us to be there on Wednesday, too, so feel free to come and share a hot dog with them. Lunch is come and go from 11-2, and if you're able to be there to help any of that time, that's also great.


Seeking to Give Compassionately and with Integrity

One way The Gathering partners with others and the Divine to co-create a more just and whole world is through our offerings. In 2010, The Gathering has given 48% of what we collect to others. Some of the recipients of our offerings include: Meals for the Elderly, West Texas Organizing Strategy, UCC Strengthen the Church, The Nature Conservancy, Project Dignidad, The Humane Society, Remote Area Medical, and HERO.

The offering on 6/6 was $42 and was designated for The Gathering. $380 was given on 6/13: $245 to Kids Eat Summer Lunch Program and $135 to The Gathering.


A Spiritual Response to the Gulf Crisis

In response to the Gulf oil crisis, the website SpiritualityandPractice.com has examined the complexity of our relationships with both the oil industry and the environment, and they seek to explore and respond to the tragedy from a spiritual perspective.

Each day this month, a new prayer, chant, meditation or thought for conscious reflection is posted to help us connect with the sacred water of our planet.

The posting for June 2 is:

Water is the source of creation,the ancestor of all living things.
It's the bloodstream of the earth.

Public Theology

Last Sunday we discussed public theology, which is the intersection between popular culture and the search for meaning. The "Did You Know?" video can be viewed here. Interestingly, while many people are rejecting the "traditional" place of finding meaning, i.e. faith communities, religious stories keep showing up in public places helping us make sense of our world. An example of this is found on page 24 of the July/August issue of Mother Jones magazine: the head of a well-known tv commentator is attached to a statue of a golden calf. Surrounding the statue is a crowd of people, arms raised in awe and praise. Faintly, in the corner of the picture, is a mountain - hinting, of course, at the story found in the Hebrew scripture (aka Old Testament) Exodus 32-34. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the people were afraid and wanted a more "accessible" god. So Moses' brother Aaron obliged and made a "golden calf" god. To further understand the association, read the article here. To see the picture and join in the conversation, join us at The Gathering this coming Sunday night.


Mystical Lady in Blue Celebration is this Weekend



The second annual celebration of the miraculous relationship between Maria de Agreda of Spain and the Jumano Native Americans of New Mexico and Texas is this weekend. For more information about the weekend, including the Intertribal powwow and the ecumenical worship service, check out the website.


Upcoming Gatherings

Sunday, 6/20 - Contemplative Meditation
Wednesday, 6/23 - Food 4 Thought
Thursday, 6/24 - WTOS
Sunday, 6/27 - Reflection on Sacred Text
Tuesday, 6/29 - Community Connecting Workgroup Meeting
Sunday, 7/4 - The Gathering
Sunday, 7/11 - The Gathering


Links

Center for Progressive Christianity

United Church of Christ

Charter for Compassion

Spirituality & Practice

Speaking of Faith


Contact Us:

Rev. Karen Schmeltekopf
Pastor
thegatheringsanangelo@yahoo.com
The Gathering's Webpage
The Gathering's Blog
(325) 374-1566


325-374-1566

Where the Table is Spread , You are Welcome &

UCC Grant Award

Congratulations! We've been approved for a grant of $1625 from the UCC Media with a Mission program!

The Community Connecting Workgroup is being creative and proactive in experimenting with ways The Gathering can, in fact, meaningfully connect with the community, and thanks to their efforts, some of those dreams and plans are coming to fruition - and we can pay for them.

The CCW applied for a Media with a Mission grant and received the entire amount for which we applied! Woohoo! Great work, CCW! Combining the grant money with some of our own funds, we will run ads/sponsor sites on our new NPR affiliate KNCH, we will expand newspaper advertising to include the Goodfellow Monitor in addition to the Standard-Times, we will add audio capability to our webpage, expand to youtube, and bring back our beloved Dinner and a Movie nights! In addition, we anticipate hosting a Comedy Club, a brown bag lecture at ASU, and possibly a time of enjoying a Dixie Land band. Some of these will be put in place this summer, and some will take place in the fall.

The Gathering is a unique faith community that embodies the messages that God is still speaking and that no matter who a person is or where she is on life's journey, she is welcome at The Gathering. With our marketing effort, we believe that people will be engaged by The Gathering and will check us out. So please come, share the gift of hospitality, make each other welcome - after all, this is who we are: a dynamic community (that) offers ... 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.


This Week's Worship

The Gathering meets this Sunday, June 13, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street, and I look forward to being together again as The Gathering.

After hearing Dr. Susan Thistlethwaite at the Annual Meeting of the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ in New Orleans, I am full of energy, enthusiasm, and hope for The Gathering because she talked about The Gathering! Well, she didn't really talk about The Gathering, but she did talk about the necessity for innovation in creating a faith community - and it appears we have much of that innovative impulse. Some of the topics she covered include "the age of anxiety," "wired wisdom," and "public theology". Sunday night I will share her insights, words of wisdom, and challenges, and you'll definitely want to be part of the conversation!

Our offering will be designated for the San Angelo Kids Eat program - the summer effort to feed a healthy lunch to 10,000 local children. And speaking of eating, because it is now officially hot (100+ degrees definitely counts as "official"), let's bring things that are cool, or will cool us down. Ice cream, watermelon anyone?


Restoring the Dance
SCCUCC Annual Meeting Report

So many things to share about Annual Meeting, but for now, a few highlights: * 460 hygiene kits were given to Back Bay Mission and 437 school kits were given to Church World Service - for a total kit value of over $11,000; * the worship, plenary sessions, and workshops were excellent; * New Orleanians are amazing, resilient people; * the UCC Disaster Ministry effort is not just rebuilding homes, but also rebuilding hope and health; * the food is exquisite; * we collected over $13,000 in offerings for a variety of ministries; * what incredible music!; * Susan Thistlethwaite was provocative and inspiring; and * it was renewing to be with people of like mind and spirit.


In Gratitude

Many thanks go to Nancy for planning and leading The Gathering's monthly worship service this past Sunday.


Holding in the Light

Larry and Irene;
Others who are sick and/or are having surgical procedures in the next few weeks;
Many who are traveling;
Conflict in the Middle East;
Conflict in Darfur;
The families of those killed in the Massey coal mining tragedy and the BP Horizon explosion;
The Gulf Eco-system and all those whose lives and livelihoods are now in peril


Further Opportunities for Connecting

The Lady in Blue Festival, Friday-Sunday, June 18-20

United Campus Ministries, Food4Thought, Wednesday, June 23 - We're serving lunch.

West Texas Organizing Strategy (WTOS) monthly meeting, Thursday, June 24, St. Paul Presbyterian

A Loving Community in Development

Gathering to Worship

Sunday, June 6 5:30 pm
618 Locust Street

Many thanks go to Nancy York for taking the leadership task of planning and leading worship for this coming Sunday night, June 6. As of this writing, the planning is on-going; the theme of our shared meal has been determined, and it's general potluck. To help Nancy and the community with worship, please contact her at: nly1@verizon.net.


Community Conversation re: Our Priorities

Sunday night, May 23, 15 of us gathered for a satisfying evening of attending to our sacred business. Ann Light summed up the time well with her analysis of the evening: "The Community Conversation Regarding Our Priorities was the best 'bizness' meeting I have ever attended. Lots of energy, commitment and enthusiasm."

One of the things we discussed and decided include: bringing back Dinner and a Movie night with the purchase of a DVD player and a projector. We also heard about the Community Connecting Workgroup's plans for special fall events, their efforts to expand our web presence with the purchase of a video camera and the process of applying for a UCC Media with a Mission grant. The Worship Planning Workgroup shared their recommendation to have a "low intensity" July and shift our fall schedule to include 2 worship services a month. And we heard about our finances and voted on budgets. We laughed, prayed, brainstormed, contemplated, volunteered, and celebrated the sacred community that is The Gathering. Thanks to the scribing done by Neil Snipes, detailed minutes are available. If you'd like a copy, let , let him know. For a copy of the present and proposed budgets, contact Pat Hines. Much appreciation goes to all who prepared, presented, and participated in the evening.


West Texas Organizing Strategy

West Texas Organizing Strategy is an organization of churches (of which we are one) teaching civic responsibility based on biblical values of justice. We organize for affordable housing, living wages, integrity in our justice system and equity in health care and education, among other things. The good news is that WTOS is making a very real difference in the lives of San Angeloans. A City of San Angelo senior staff member said the following:

"For many years, San Angelo has seemed to be a tale of two cities... between haves and have nots.... WTOS has fundamentally changed the dialogue in San Angelo...the driving force behind major neighborhood revitalization."

Some of the things discussed at last Thursday's meeting include the Kids Eat summer program, community gardens, keeping the program re: building affordable homes on track, public school concerns, economic issues, and the Hirschfeld Green Screen. Remember the Green Screen conversation of about a year ago? It concerns the noise and dust pollution for apartment dwellers next to Hirschfeld Steel. When approached with the concerns, Hirschfeld quickly responded, and as the saying goes, one thing led to another. Now 5 gallon trees have been bought, a nursery has offered to plant all the trees, a drip system for watering the trees is being put in place, and the City of San Angelo will pay the water bill for 3 years. How's that for helping neighbors voice their concerns - with results that literally change their lives for the better!

A reader of The Gathering's e-newsletters commented:

"I am extremely impressed with the scope and range of vision demonstrated by the WTOS. It is fantastic and means real, qualitative change in people's quality of life, for their whole life (i.e., positively influences access to educational, health and employment opportunities, while breaking the cycle of poverty for undereducated populations.) This is an organization we can be proud of."

I read something the other day about how Jesus' "healing miracles" were actually acts of political subversion because they challenged the status quo and brought Life to individuals overlooked by society. Maybe participating in WTOS is one way we further Divine subversive healing!

Next meeting: Thursday, June 24, 7:00 PM, St. Paul's Presbyterian Church.


South Central Conference Annual Meeting

Okay, I understand that every once in a while, as Pastor of The Gathering, I need to "take one for the team," and this weekend is my weekend of suffering. It's going to be hard, but someone's gotta do it, and since I do so love The Gathering, I'm willing. So what's the agony with which I'll be dealing? What's the sacrifice I'm ready to make? For what martyrdom will I become known far and wide? Of course - it's spending the weekend in New Orleans for the Annual Meeting of South Central Conference UCC.

When I leave early Thursday morning, I will take with me 18 personal hygiene kits, extra parts for more, and $140 we collected Sunday, May 16 for the homeless ministry at Back Bay Mission, Biloxi, Mississippi. I will also take delightfully creative Gathering brochures crafted by Jeremy Hahn, Neil Snipes, and myself. I return Monday. In between I will worship, break bread, attend workshops, participate in a skit about new church starts, visit with colleagues, talk about The Gathering, and be one of many doing the work of the South Central Conference. I suspect (and hope!) I'll also hear some mighty fine music and eat tasty Cajun food. Because no one in The Gathering is able to join me, my two sisters have volunteered (they, too, are into 'suffering') to come along. I look forward to the weekend, sharing about The Gathering while there, and sharing with you about the Annual Meeting when I return.


Upcoming Gatherings

Oneness Blessing, Sunday, June 6, 1:30 pm, Unity Church of Christianity

Quaker Meeting, Monday, June 7, 6:30 pm, Nancy York's house

Food 4 Thought, United Campus Ministries, Wednesday, June 23. We're serving the huddled masses this day!

West Texas Organizing Strategy monthly meeting, Thursday, June 24, 7:00 pm, St. Paul Presbyterian Church


News of Community Near and Far
Community is where we learn the ways of love.

MSNBC journalist and talk show host Rachel Maddow has discovered Alan! She cited his business oriented blog PEU Report on her Maddowblog. Go, Alan!

Tim McTAggart's dad, Col. Richard McTaggart, US Army (Ret.) is the keynote speaker for the 2010 Goodfellow Army Ball, Friday, June 4. Tim notes he will have stories covering WWII through Afghanistan and possibly including the time he climbed up the volcano now erupting near Guatemala City. Pretty impressive.

Bob Ballentine continues to receive care in a Waco hospital.

Larry and Irene Luvaul continue to seek recovery from complex health issues.

Haitians who lost their homes in the earthquake are anticipating living in "temporary shelter" for more than a year.

The Gulf Coast oil disaster continues to grow, with eventual consequences for the whole biosphere.

United Congregational Church, Lubbock: A rally/march on June 5 in Lubbock, spearheaded by CIUDAD, Communities in United Discourse Against Discrimination, will draw area citizens who support justice for all and oppose the AZ immigration law and any similar law coming to Texas because the law is unjust, it will lead to profiling and makes even associating with undocumented persons illegal. The march begins between 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. at Azatlan Park. After marching the 30 minutes to the courthouse, a rally is scheduled for 10:30.

It's been a Big Big Week!

The Community Connecting Workgroup (Alan, Isobelle, Tim, Neil, Karen) submitted our application for a United Church of Christ Media with Mission grant on 6/1/10. Thanks, CCW!

Jeremy Hahn, Neil Snipes, and Karen crafted a Gathering brochure which is quite delightful - and very Gathering-esque! Graci' to Jeremy and Neil for their creativity and efforts.


Wesley Soup Kitchen Report

And Jesus said: I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.
Matthew 25:35

Thanks to Jessica Rios' leadership and the hard work of Gathering participants, about 130 hungry and thirsty Divine strangers were invited in to Wesley Soup Kitchen and received a hot, hardy, healthy, and tasty lunch of meatball subs, soup, and salad on Saturday,
May 22.

No Gathering on Memorial Day

To Gather or Not To Gather...
That is One Question we Have Answered

Gatherers tend to be seekers, questioners, journeyers. We understand that there are many questions without answers and often, it is in the questioning itself, the journey itself that we experience the Holy. Mark this day (drum roll, please) - there is one question that does have a definitive answer - even for The Gathering: Due to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, we are NOT Gathering this Sunday, 30 May, 5:30 pm. at Promenade Square, 618 Locust Street. Because we moved our fifth Sunday of the month "Community Conversation Re: Our Priorities" aka "Gathering for Sacred Business Meeting" meeting to the fourth Sunday of the month (and what a very satisfying conversation/sacred business meeting it was), we are encouraging ourselves to live on the edge this holiday weekend - not by asking deep theological questions or by seeking deep spiritual truths - but by resting, playing, enjoying our families, visiting our neighbors, and most of all, by remembering the men and women who have died while serving in the US military.

The Spirit, of course, is still alive and well even though The Gathering is not officially gathering. Watch for her presence as you walk along the river. Listen for her voice as you enjoy the breeze at sunset. Feel her energy as you celebrate graduations. Know her comfort as you attend a Memorial Service.

We will gather for worship and community again the first Sunday of June. 6 June, 5:30 pm, Promenade Square, 618 Locust Street.

Shalom, Peace, Salaam,

Karen Schmeltekopf

thegatheringsanangelo.org

Gathering the Spirit's Energy

The Gathering is Aflame with Energy and Spirit

Sunday, May 23, is Pentecost - an observance historically and symbolically related to the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which commemorates God giving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai fifty days after the Exodus. In Christian churches, Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Spirit upon the followers of Jesus as described in the New Testament book of Acts during these Jewish "fiftieth day" celebrations in Jerusalem. For this reason, Pentecost is sometimes described as the "Birthday of the Church".

On this day commemorating the Spirit's Presence experienced in a new way, we will celebrate and explore the Spirit's stirrings and wild activities among The Gathering - and in a curiously very appropriate way, we'll do that by having a "Community Conversation Regarding Our Priorities" - aka a Gathering-wide business meeting. This spring, the Community Connecting Workgroup and the Worship Planning Workgroup have put much prayer, energy and planning in to The Gathering, and they have much to share with the group as a whole - like the proposed summer schedule, the proposed fall schedule, a marketing effort, and the need to spend money to purchase things like a projector so we can watch movies again!

So the evening will be full of engaging with the Spirit and deciding things that shape who we are. You are encouraged to participate. The Gathering is a collaborative community where, just as our bell banner symbolizes, each voice is unique and important in making up the whole chorus (see purpose below). We say we welcome all into the "full life and ministry of The Gathering" and that doesn't just mean others - it means us, too!

Recognizing the time issue, we will not have a regular pot-luck; feel free, however, to bring a sack supper if you'd like.

Sunday, May 23, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust Street.


The Inclusive Still-Speaking Spirit

Isobelle Fox recently participated in a United Church of Christ first-of-its-kind weekend at the UCC "church house" in Cleveland, Ohio. Isobelle, who shared her enthusiasm, satisfaction, and sacred experience with The Gathering on Sunday night, May 16, writes:

On May 7-9, I had the honor of joining a group of 18 other individuals from UCC churches all around the country, in Cleveland, Ohio. We came together for the purpose of forming a representative body of transgender people to work with the UCC and the Coalition for LGBT Concerns in advancing the cause of education and advocacy on behalf of gender-variant people within the church.

The result of our efforts over those three days is perhaps best expressed by the mission statement that we developed during the meeting:

The UCC GenderFold Action Alliance empowers and supports transgender/gender-variant inclusion through education, leadership development and advocacy.

My time in Cleveland was very powerful and inspiring. I met a lot of wonderful and passionate people, and I look forward to participating in the work of the UCC GenderFold Action Alliance in any way I am able as it moves forward.

Izzie also expressed appreciation to The Gathering for its offering on March 7 designated for the scholarship fund of the UCC Transgender Caucus to help as many people as possible attend this event.

While Izzie was at the national church house, she met a group of young people and the pastor from Plymouth United Church of Christ, Houston. This group was there to learn more about the UCC. The pastor, Rev. Dr. Ginny Brown Daniel, is the pastor who was so helpful to Ellen in January when Ellen was stranded in Houston. What's that saying about a small world?


Wesley Daily Soup Kitchen

Thanks to Jessica Rios, plans are coming together for us to share a sacred meal while living our practices of service and compassion (and probably humor and joy, too) this coming Saturday. Jessica writes:

Hello Wesley Gatherers!

Once again we will get together at Wesley Soup Kitchen, Saturday, May 22nd. Just a little note to sync everyone for Saturday. With everyone's effort it will be a lovely day. I'm looking forward to it! Some of you will be helping serve and some with the food part. Thanks to you we will have enough to serve meatball subs, soup and salad for 150 people! Items can be dropped off by 9:30 at Wesley, 301 W. 18th St. Or they can be dropped off at Pavia the day before (in the Cactus Hotel.) The sandwiches are very filling and can be easily prepared. If you would be interested in helping with the food, serving or cleaning up after lunch let me know. It's always nice just having us all together, so any way you would like to participate will be great! My cell is 325-340-2720. Alex has already signed up to serve, and this is his first time so he's looking forward to it!

Those of us who've served at Wesley know it's a great experience - spiritual, humbling, fun - and tasty! Hope you all can join the effort.

Prayers for Others and Ourselves

* Trudy's son and family live and work in Bangkok, Thailand, which is a dangerous place to be right now.

* Bob Ballentine is in the hospital in Waco.

* Ellen is heading back to Phoenix Friday-Monday for a "candidate weekend" with Encanto Community Church.

* Larry and Irene's daughter is getting married Saturday.

* Larry has seriously injured his back - which is going to make walking his daughter down the aisle quite a painful challenge!

* The Gulf Coast eco-system continues to be awash, literally, in oil and chemicals.

* Clean-up and recovery continue for the survivors of the floods in Tennessee and Kentucky and also for those impacted by the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile.

* The differences of race and culture continue to cause strife and conflict among the people of North America.

The Gathering received $211 Sunday, May 9; $161 will go to the Children's Miracle Network and $50 was given to The Gathering. On Sunday, May 16, $223 was given: $95 for The Gathering and $118 to help complete our ministry project of personal hygiene kits for Back Bay Mission.


Upcoming Events

5/22/2010: Wesley Daily Soup Kitchen, Saturday, May 22, 10-1:30-ish.

5/23/2010: The Gathering "Community Conversation Regarding Our Priorities", Sunday, May 23, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust.

5/30/2010: No Gathering on Sunday, May 30, due to Memorial Day Weekend.

6/4-6/2010: South Central Conference Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana. I'll be there!

6/6/2010: The Gathering Worship, Sunday, June 6, 5:30 pm, 618 Locust. Nancy is coordinating worship as I'll be returning from the South Central Conference Annual Meeting.

6/7/2010: Quaker Sitting, Monday, June 7, 6:30 pm, 2701 Briargrove Lane. Contact Nancy for more info.


Contact Information

Karen Schmeltekopf
thegatheringsanangelo.org
thegatheringsanangelo@yahoo.com
325-374-1566


About Us

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

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.


Links of Interest

UCC

Speaking of Faith