February 14, 2010 at Edwards Church UCC in Framingham

Community Meal begins at 5:30, Drum Circle at 6:30, and Worship at 7pm!

Valentine’s Day, February 14, is the occasion for a special OpenSpirit gathering, as we listen for the ‘heartbeat of the holy.’  The Spark of Love Joy Band will be featured, leading you in playing percussion at this OpenSpirit evening at Edwards Church in Framingham.

This will be the second of our reconfigured OpenSpirit gatherings, having gone from once a week to once a month as of the new year.  Our new format begins with a potluck supper starting at 6:00 pm.

This time around, we’ll follow that with a half hour percussion workshop beginning at 6:30 before moving into worship at 7:00.  You’re invited to come to any or all parts of that, so come when you can and leave when you have to!

Pianist/vocalist extraordinaire David Hunte and jazz saxophonist Willie Sordillo will be joining the Sparks band, and there will be ample opportunity for you to use your newly acquired (or perhaps seasoned and honed) percussion skills as well.

Come and experience some of the ways in which the heartbeat of a drum can help us tap into a deep sense of spirituality.  Bring your own drum if you have one, and if not, we’ll hook you up!  Edwards Church is located at 39 Edwards Road, Framingham.  You’ll find us in Edwards Hall, off of the parking lot below the main building.

5:30 pm Potluck Supper, 7:00 pm Worship

39 Edwards Street, Framingham, Education Building

Directions:  http://www.edwardschurch.org/directions.html

With input from those who’ve joined us in this experiment, we’ve decided to continue to gather on the second Sunday evening of each month, rather than a weekly basis, from now on.  So there will not be an OpenSpirit gathering this Sunday, and our next meeting will be on Sunday, January 10.

In addition, we’re changing both the location and the format.  We’ve appreciated the warm welcome we’ve received from the staff at the Performing Arts Center of MetroWest, as well as the flexibility of the space, which is both intimate and easily transformed to meet the needs of our weekly focus.  But both because it’s been challenging to park and because the feedback we’ve received has told us that participants are looking for a greater sense of community, we’ve decided to move to a space which affords both easier parking and a full kitchen.

So while we may experiment with different spaces in the coming months, when we meet on January 10, we’ll gather at 5:30 pm at Edwards Church, UCC, 39 Edwards Street, Framingham, in the Education Building, for a potluck supper, followed by worship at 7:00.  All are invited to join us to share a meal and worship, or any part of that.

Father’s Day at OpenSpirit!

“A Celebration of Fathers … and Mothers … and Uncles … and Teachers … and Mentors…”

Jesus called God ‘Abba’ … a name intimate and loving … 

Father’s Day at OpenSpirit:  an opportunity to give thanks for those who nurture us, to rejoice in the gifts they give us.  In song and story, in prayer and sharing, at an abundant table of welcome, we will celebrate a multitude of gifts.

And together, we ponder the ways Fathers and teachers and mentors offer us images of who God is, insight into the relational way and being of God.

We invite you to bring a picture or object of remembrance of an influential person in your life who has nurtured, encouraged, challenged or supported you; if you’d like,bring a story or reflection about that someone to share.

As always, God’s OpenSpirit will move through our music and our prayers … come, if you yearn for the presence and experience of God, come.