Kingdom of God:

The Overlapping and Interlocking of Heaven and Earth

Stone Soup
Sunday October 21 4:00 p.m.
Scripture reflections Job 38:1-7; Mark 10:35-43 (see below)
We'll gather at 4 at the Wesley Cottage. Then we'll explore some of the different places in our town and their functions in an effort to explore our part in the significance of place.
We'll talk about what makes a place, an event or us holy.
We'll use this to explore the significance of eating together, playing together, worshipping together and living together.
For our meal together, we'll have a regular potluck (if you want a focus, think about fall specialties).
I can't wait to see you then. Invite a friend.
Rob

Job 38:1-7

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 
‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 
Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 
Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 
On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone 
when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?.

Mark 10:35-43

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’

 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John.So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,

Stone Soup Harvest Fest Potluck at Columbus UMC

This Sunday, 10/14, we'll meet at 4:30 to carpool down to Columbus United Methodist Church for a Fall Potluck. The church will provide the turkey and drinks and we can all bring potluck vegetables, salad, desserts or whatever we want. We'll discuss pilgrimage, labyrinths and embodied prayer. We'll also enjoy the changing season. We should be back up the mountain by 6:30. There is lots of room for the kids to play outside down in Columbus.

See you Sunday...

Below are pictures from last Sunday's hike and the fire ring where we shared communion.

Stone Soup for Sunday Oct. 7 Meets at 2 PM AT THE SALUDA LIBRARY.
We're going hiking with SCLT (Saluda Community Land Trust) on the Upper Camp Creek Trail.
We meet at 2, then drive to the trail head. After hiking, everyone is invited to Rob's house (just a half mile down the road from the trail head) for cookout and camping.
We plan to have worship on the trail, a time for thanksgiving, reflection and communion.
If anyone doesn't want to hike you can meet us at Rob's house (call 828-606-3452 for directions) at 5 for fellowship and food. Everyone can bring what you would like to a cookout (a protein and a side) and Rob will provide the makings for S'MORES.
We've got room for tents around the campfire and room for 10 kids in the treehouse, so stay the night with us since the next day is a school holiday. The Parsons/Hestons will provide pancake batter to cook over the fire (or stove if you want to bring one) and you can bring whatever else you might need (we can use refrigeration from the house if necessary).

Our scripture lesson is Matthew 18: 23-34

 ‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt.

We're also looking at not taking things personally as the second agreement.

Then if you are still up for more adventure, we're planning a rock climbing adventure in Pisgah Forest National Park on Monday.

Stone Soup for 9/30/12
BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD...
AND BRING GOOD MUSIC...
WE'LL LOOK AT THE POWER OF OUR WORDS AND LISTEN/SING WHATEVER YOU BRING.

"For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits." (James 3:2-5 NRSV)

Speak with integrity.  Say only what you mean.  Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others.  Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Jesus said, "Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37 NRSV)

Our food theme for this week will be APPLES. Anything with apples. Remember that there is more to apples than desserts, they can be in savory dishes with proteins too.

(these are apples we gleaned with Society of St. Andrew a couple of years ago)

Oct 7 we’re doing a SCLT hike on the upper Camp Creek and then ending up at Rob and Ali’s house for bonfire and cookout. Stay the night if you want and we’ll see if we can get some rock climbing in the next day (teacher work day)!

Stone Soup Celebration of Life 9/23/12

Stone Soup Celebration of Life 9/23/12

We meet at 4 p.m. The Kids will leave by about 4:30 for Youth Serve down in Tryon. Then the rest of us will work on a Celebration of Life and how to cherish the days we have. We’ll have a straight up potluck for food. Bring whatever you would like. The kids should be back by around 6:30 p.m. Looking forward, Oct 7 we’re doing a SCLT hike on the upper Camp Creek and then ending up at Rob and Ali’s house for bonfire and cookout. Stay the night if you want and we’ll see if we can get some rock climbing in the next day (teacher work day)!

The man who had it all
Discovered
That he had it all...
Wrong

Stone Soup for September 16th...

We will meet at 4 p.m. at the Wesley Cottage. Katrina’s bringing Gypsy Soup, Ali’s baking bread, we need a salad (if someone would reply to that) and everyone needs to bring a mug or bowl for your soup. We’ll be watching the documentary movie, “I Am”. The movie follows a man who “had it all” but then discovers he “had it all wrong”. He then makes this documentary asking religious, political and scientific leaders from around the globe, “What’s wrong with the world and what can we do about it?” Together, we discover what’s right with the world. Come join us in our journey together as we connect our faith and spirit to God and the world. “I am the vine, you are the branches!” Read John 15:1-11in preparation for our worship and reflection together. We can eat while we watch the movie, so we can be done by 6:30 p.m.

Baked Potato Night
John 21:15-19 feed my lambs
Luke 14:15-24 everyone invited to the great dinner

We'll meet at 4 at the Wesley Cottage. The worship theme is the transforming love of God that brings hospitality, healing, justice, and celebration.
So we'll also practice our skills of celebrating. I'll bring baked potatoes. You bring what you want to put on them or eat with them.
We'll have frisbee golf if anyone wants to play. Kids (and adults) bring any games you want to play. If you need to get home for home work and such, we'll plan to finish up by 6 p.m.
Peace,
Rob