July 28, 2010 WELCOME TO DAYSPRING We want to welcome Joan Breece to DaySpring. Joan, we are very happy that you have joined with us. Greetings, Several folks asked about the poem on the front cover of the worship guide from last Sunday, called Harrowing. We goofed and didn't name the author, and more than a few of you were curious about it. Here's the story: I discovered this poem in a book by Parker Palmer called Let Your Life Speak. Palmer wrote it himself while he was emerging from a crippling depression. He describes that journey as one of descending rather than ascending, in contrast to the way we church people usually think about the things of God. We usually value what is up; we think of God being higher, and the journey to God being one of ascension. This is all good, biblical vocabulary for the spiritual journey. It is also incomplete. Palmer describes the paradoxes of the spiritual journey--that the "humiliation that brings us down--down to the ground on which it is safe to stand and fall--eventually takes us to a firmer and fuller sense of self." He continues, "When people ask me how it felt to emerge from depression, I can only give one answer: I felt at home in my skin, and at home on the face of the earth, for the first time." Palmer says he missed the deep meaning of a biblical teaching that always had seemed like a no-brainer, "I set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Therefore, choose life." (Deuteronomy 30:19) About the poem, he writes: "I was finally able to say yes to life, a choice for which I am grateful beyond measure, though how I found that yes remains a mystery to me. At one fork in the long road back to wholeness--when I was in fact walking along a country road past a freshly plowed field--I found a poem taking form within me. I offer it, along with my unknowing, as a token of hope to anyone who may be enduring the harrowing of depression." With apologies for not attributing this poem to Palmer, but thankful for the opportunity to share the fuller story. Here is the poem again: Harrowing The plow has savaged this sweet field Misshapen clods of earth kicked up Rocks and twisted roots exposed to view Last year's growth demolished by the blade. I have plowed my life this way Turned over a whole history Looking for the roots of what went wrong Until my face is ravaged, furrowed, scarred. Enough. The job is done. Whatever's been uprooted, let it be Seedbed for the growing that's to come. I plowed to unearth last year's reasons -- The farmer plows to plant a greening season. -- Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak DaySpring Event Calendar Wednesday Night Activities: Contemplative Prayer in the Chapel at 5:30 p.m. Upcoming Events: Gospel Cafe: Wednesday, August 4 30-Somethings: August 21, 3:00-6:00 p.m., Back-to School / End-of-Summer Pool Party [Renew] and [Share] Mission Clusters Joint Meeting: Tuesday, August 24, 7:00 p.m. Hospitality Thirty-Somethings: Bring yourself and your family for a Back-to-School / End-of-Summer pool party on Saturday, August 21 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Join us at the home of Al and Susan Josephs, who have graciously offered their pool for our gathering. Their address is: 3717 Herwol Avenue. Feel free to bring a snack to share. Questions? See Allison Buras or Ivy Hamerly. Missions Wednesday, August 4 will be DaySpring's day to staff the Gospel Cafe. You "regulars" know what this means, but any others wishing to get involved with our ministry at Gospel Cafe should contact Susan Josephs. And you "regulars," please let Susan know if you will be able to work on Wednesday, August 4. You are invited to Tea with CJ. Come hear stories and see pictures of her time in South Asia. There will also be a time of Q&A. The gathering will take place at the home of Andy & Beth Kilpatrick (903 Parkview Circle, Hewitt) on Saturday, August 7th @ 3pm. Hope to see you there! Mission Clusters [Renew] and [Share] Mission Clusters Joint Meeting: Tuesday, August 24, 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. This is a conversation about the intersection between Renew [how to offer our church campus as a place of retreat and renewal] and Share [how to live in intentional Christian community as mission]. You don't have to have been at a prior meeting to attend. Ridgecrest Ministry Come join us at Ridgecrest at 10:15 a.m. on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays of the month with the youth serving communion on the 5th Sunday. Questions? Contact Millie Rollins. Formation Adult Spiritual Formation "Journey Inward, Journey Outward" We will continue this Sunday with the "Journey Inward, Journey Outward." Please join us in the Chapel. DaySpring Children For the DaySpring Children's Sunday School, Promotion Sunday will be August 29, 2010. Sunday School Teachers Sunday School Teachers (Chart position!) needed! We need teachers to co-teach in these classes: Toddlers, 1st and 2nd grade class and 5th and 6 th grade class! If you find satisfaction in helping form children spiritually, then please talk with Tiffani for more details! Bible Skills Class Children in grades completed 1st -- 6th will be together for a Bible Skills Class, Sundays, August 1, 8 & 15 taught by Katina. Carole Meriwether and Tiffani. They will meet in their normal classrooms. See email sent to parents for more details. We are collecting crutches to send to Haiti with an organization called The Global Art Initiative. If you have old ones you want to donate, you can bring them on Sunday and put them in Tiffani's office. Lectionary Reading List is Available Copies of a new compiled list of the Sunday lectionary texts are available on the right back table in the narthex as you exit the church. The list includes the Bible references to the Sunday readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels beginning with Trinity Sunday and going through Thanksgiving. Work of the Body Sound for August -- Conner Krey Greeters August 1 -- Harold and Diana Osborne Cleaning Week of July 26-30 -- Betty's Team Week of August 2-6 -- Suzanne's Team Extended Worship Care August 1 -- Judy Schmeltekopf, Ivy Hamerly, Greg Hamerly, Amy Johnson, Marcus Johnson, Susie Wiseman Weekly Schedule Wednesday, July 28 -- August 3 Wednesday, July 28 5:30 p.m. Contemplative Prayer 7:00 p.m. Youth Gathering Friday, July 30 8:00 a.m. Lectionary Breakfast at Olive Branch Sunday, August 1 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship Staff Eric Howell, Pastor Regina Easley-Young, Associate Pastor Doyle Young, Adult Spiritual Formation Tiffani Harris, Children's Minister Katina Kelley, Associate Children's Minister Cole Chandler, Youth Minister Kurt Kaiser, Choral Director Eric Gilchrest, Pastoral Associate Kyndall Renfro, Pastoral Associate Lamona Martin, Administrative Assistant Church Council Anna Henderson Andy Kilpatrick Betty Burleson Bob Kruschwitz Charlie Olson Treasurer Wes Johnson DaySpring Baptist Church 7900 Renewal Way, Waco, Texas 76712 phone 254.776.9988 www.ourdayspring.org -- If you have announcements or prayer concerns that you'd like included in the DaySpring News, please send them (press-ready, if possible) by noon on Wednesday to dayspring@ourdayspring.org To stop receiving this email, send a message to dayspring@ourdayspring.org with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line. To begin receiving this email, send a message to dayspring@ourdayspring.orgwith the word "subscribe" in the subject line. Lamona Martin Administrative Assistant lamona@ourdayspring.org DaySpring Baptist Church 7900 Renewal Way Waco, Texas 76712 phone: 776-9988 dayspring@ourdayspring.org www.ourdayspring.org Office Hours: Tues/Wed - 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Thurs - 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fri - 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.