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Mercy Street will meet this Saturday, October 20th at 5:30pm at Lakeland Community Church in Lee’s Summit.  We will continue exploring Step One.

As we’ve been reflecting on the past nine years, this passage from Hunger for Healing feels particularly relevant:

“In our humanity we often want a “spiritual program” that is logical, one we can add up like a column of figures and get a sum  But the Twelve Steps program is a lot more like making pickles than it is like doing sums.  You cannot analyze cucumbers or even sprinkle them with salt to make pickles.  You have to soak them in the salt water.  And to get into recovery through the Twelve Steps one must “soak” in the process and meetings of the Twelve Step program.  Over the months you begin to absorb things you are unaware you are absorbing, and one day you become conscious that you are a “pickle,” a different kind of person permeated with a new sort of serenity and love, a different kind of humility, and a different kind of openness.”

Last weekend there was a handout on “adulting” tips.  Below is the first one on healthier ways to respond to requests.  We don’t have to say YES to everything.  We are allowed to say NO.  We are also allowed to change our minds!

We will have more of these tips in the coming weeks.  Thanks to the Refuge for this info!

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions please feel free to leave an annonymous comment below or you may send questions via e-mail to mercystreetkc (at) gmail.com  Your information will always be kept confidential.

Happy 9th Anniversary Mercy Street!

Mercy Street started meeting nine years ago in October of 2009.  Ever since then the group has met consistently every Saturday at 5:30pm, upstairs in the youth room at Lakeland Community Church.

We will continue to meet this Saturday, October 6th at… you guessed it… 5:30pm at Lakeland Community Church in Lee’s Summit.  Childcare will be provided.

This is a new month AND the beginning of the Mercy Street “year”, thus we will be circling back around to Step One:

We admitted we were powerless over our hurts, habits, and hang-ups and other people’s choices – that our lives had become unmanageable.

The Biblical comparison from the NIV translation:

“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”  – Romans 7:18

The Twelve Steps and a Biblical comparison for each one is posted on the Resources tab.  The steps are not something that we start and finish but rather a rhythm of life.

QUESTIONS?

As always if you have questions please leave a comment below or send an e-mail to mercystreetkc (at) gmail.com.  Your information will always be kept confidential.

Mercy Street will meet tomorrow, September 29th at 5:30pm at Lakeland Community Church in Lee’s Summit.  Childcare will be provided.  If you need childcare please leave a comment below or e-mail mercystreetkc (at) gmail.com.  This is just so we know how many kiddos to expect.

Tomorrow will be our last meeting covering Step 12.

Last week we read the poem I Stand at the Door by Sam Shoemaker.  It is a great poem related to Step 12.

In last week’s meeting there was also a reference to how faith is like a slinky.  It may feel repetitive as you go around and around and around.  But each time you go around you are actually going a little bit deeper with God.

Finally, it’s really feeling like fall now!  We have coffee at our meetings, so come and warm up with a cup.  You can warm up your soul at the same time.

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 5-6 – The Enneagram and Contemplative Spirituality @ Avila University.  Taught by Chris and Phileena Heuertz.  Register here.

October 6 – Silent Saturday @ Sanctuary of Hope.  More information here.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions please feel free to leave an anonymous comment below or you may send any questions via e-mail to mercystreetkc (at) gmail.com.  Your information will always be kept confidential.

Mercy Street will meet tomorrow, September 22nd at 5:30pm at Lakeland Community Church in Lee’s Summit.  Our meeting will be held upstairs in the youth room (as usual).  Childcare will be provided.

We will continue our discussion on Step 12.  Working the 12th step is not just about sharing your personal story with others or sponsoring newcomers.  Step 12 is also very much “setting the example”.  Here are some practical ways to live out the 12th step:

1. Attend meetings!
2. Help set up before or tear down after
3. Make coffee
4. Give rides to those who may not otherwise attend
5. Offer to do a reading

Your presence at a meeting brings comfort to others and shows them that they are not alone.

RESOURCES

Emotional Sobriety – a free audio teaching by Richard Rohr.  The 12th step is also about reaching a level of emotional sobriety.  This free, 80-minute audio teaching can serve as another step on that path.

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 5-6 – The Enneagram and Contemplative Spirituality @ Avila University.  Taught by Chris and Phileena Heuertz.  Register here.

October 6 – Silent Saturday @ Sanctuary of Hope.  More information here.

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions please leave a comment below or e-mail mercystreetkc (at) gmail.com.  Your information will always be kept confidential.

Mercy Street will meet this Saturday, September 15th at 5:30pm at Lakeland Community Church in Lee’s Summit.  Childcare will be provided.

We will continue our focus on Step 12.

Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Richard Rohr writes:

“The real authority that changes the world is an inner authority that comes from people who have lost, let go, and are re-found on a new level.  These are the people who can heal, reconcile, understand, and change others.”

Share your experience, your hope, your strength and your struggles with others.  While it may or may not help the other person, it will definitely reinforce your own spiritual journey.

Read Richard Rohr’s full blog post on Step 12.

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 5-6 – The Enneagram and Contemplative Spirituality @ Avila University.  Taught by Chris and Phileena Heuertz.  Register here.

October 6 – Silent Saturday @ Sanctuary of Hope.  More information here.

If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment below or contact mercystreetkc (at) gmail.com.  Your information will always be kept confidential.