|
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
-- Daffodils,
by Willilam Wordsworth
Open Sundays for donating flowers are September 1 and 29 Please sign up in Whitaker Hall.
- John Heyes
+++
|
|
Poetry Podcast
Still Seeking
Skyland Readers
No one from Skyland Church has yet recorded a poem for the Poetry Podcast Project, which Erica Goss is leading. Throughout the month of September, Erica will be at the Los Gatos Library every Wednesday and Friday from 11-12.
She will hold two workshops this month at the library: Thursday, Sept. 5 at noon, and Monday, Sept. 30 at 6:00 pm. She will also read at Great Bear Coffee on Thursday, September 26 at 6:30. There will be an open mic after the reading.
Athough all are welcome to read, Erica is especially interested in people who can speak a language other than English and are willing to record a poem in its original language as well as the English translation.
T he poems will become part of an archive of fifty recorded readings, and will reside on the library website. If you would like to record a poem with Erica, please email her at ericagoss@comcast.net, or call 408-205-1957.
+++
|
Matt's Blog: a Tale of Elephants, Rhinos, Cheetahs
|
Check out Matt's story of a safari, when he saw many animals close up, at his website.
+++
|
|
|
|
Skyland Community Church's 68th
Harvest Festival
Saturday, Sept. 21 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
|
|
|
Minister's Column
Breathe a Prayer, Make
Harvest Festival Festive
As Harvest Festival time comes near, many of us are in full preparation mode; so I would like to offer an idea from my last Sunday's Words for Children to put it all in perspective. We talked about One Breath Prayers. With OBP's we think while breathing in, "Thank you for ..." or "Please help me (or someone else) ..." and on the out breath just completing the sentence with whatever comes to mind.
We marveled that this is the kind of prayer one can do without anyone else knowing that we are doing it. Our eyes can stay open; we can do most activities at the same time as this prayer. It is extremely versatile and also powerful. I just thought it up last Saturday, but have been practicing it a lot over the last few days and I have already gotten some nice, positive feedback from other practitioners.
Paul says in 1 Thessalonians, "never stop praying" and this is a pretty good way to approach that worthy goal. We all have much to be thankful for and also much help is needed near and far so these prayers are very useful. With the busy-ness of Harvest Festival, one thing we fervently hope is that we all keep breathing; and if we can add to that wonderful basis for living a One Breath Prayer now and then, it will either all go more smoothly or we will take it better if it doesn't.
Thanks to all for your prayerful and active support of the festival - decluttering, sorting, baking, schlepping, and all the rest! Let's have some prayerful fun with it.
Cheers!!!
-- Stephen
PS From the 3rd to the 17th I will be in Maine officiating at the marriage of the daughter of dear family friends and celebrating my mother's 90th birthday on the 16th. I'll be back a few days before the festival but I promise some OBP's for you!
+++
|
|
Decluttering Works! Send Unwanted Stuff to Festival
Ellie Lavender reports:
Thanks to our enthusiastic participants and their amazing community spirit, the "Declutter Your Life" workshops at the Skyland Church were a great success! We had lots of fun and raised $750.00 for our wonderful church.
Letting go of the things we don't use or need leads to happiness and success. Declutter and donate to the Harvest Festival. Still accepting clothing, books, toys, games, puzzles, sporting goods, art or other decorative items, tools, and housewares. (No electronic appliances, large items, or textbooks.) Need help with getting your stuff to Skyland Church? Email or call me:
Ellie Lavender
ellie@lavenderdesign.net
408.858.8947
Jam Today!
The White Queen's rule in Wonderland was "Jam yesterday and jam tomorrow, but never jam today." But our own Queen of Jams and Jellies, Mary Ellen McTamaney, wants her jam today. She writes:
Last call for jams, jellies, pickles and chutneys! People love our booth because of the variety it offers; but we can't do it without your help. I just made white nectarine jam that's a beautiful pink color.
We're looking forward to your contributions They all look beautiful together. Apples are versatile - dried, or made into yummy apple butter or chutney Berry jams are always popular. We need pickles as well. There are lots of jars in the shed, and I have Concord grapes falling off the vine if you need inspiration!
Sort Tuesdays 10 a.m. to noon
Nancy Jo Lopp reports: Three weeks left to the Festival. Bring lunch on Tuesdays and enjoy it with friends after sorting.
Signs are up at the church, at the Summit - San Jose Road intersection, and Summit and 17. There is also a sign on the footbridge, and donation signs at Summit Store and the church.
|
|
Financial Report August 2013
Note from our treasurer: Last month's report for 10K Run was missing the big T-shirt expense. The 10K Run financials are complete except for a couple of sponsorship donations. We likely will have net proceeds of about $5,000 to distribute to selected mission outreach activities. Thanks for everyone's dedicated support. Here is our operating report for August 2013 as of Aug. 27. Aug. 2013 | Jun 1 to Aug 27,2013 Actual Planned | Actual Planned
Income $ 9,396 $ 9,583 | $ 41,169 $ 42,527 Expenses $ 8,297 $ 9,180 | $ 39,679 $ 40,307 Net $ 1,099 $ 403 | $ 1,490 $ 2,220
-- Gerald J. Alonzo
|
A MEDITATION MOMENT May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 Bd. of Rel. Ed :: |
|
|
