Following Christmas

Friends,
I hope and trust that you had a wonderful Christmas. Here now we are in a place that some have called liminal space. It is not quite the end of the year and neither is 2010 continuing for much longer. We are expecting the change of years, a different decade in which we will make many new commitments, face new concerns and challenges. But God is good - for our God is constant: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. We can depend on him for a safe delivery into the next phase of our lives. With today's noon communion service I think I have had my final public service of the year. The next one is likely to be in 2011.

So much good response has come to me for the start of the Wilmore Poets club. Some have written in response here, some to my OneATS advert, others in email responses, and yet more by word of mouth. Things are looking up for our club. Remember it will be at the Asbury Seminary Dining Commons (a.k.a. Cafeteria) on Tuesdays during the spring semester, starting with Tuesday the 8th of February. So, come prepared to make your poetic contribution to all who will be present, and to the club.  

It's me, Robert Magoola

Calling all Poets and Lovers of Poetry!

I am quite excited to introduce a new club in our community! Wilmore Poets, a.k.a. Etcetera, will offer poets and lovers of poetry a new means of self expression.

ETCETERA
Though exams may linger and crunched smell of papers
Churned out on the time beat may tarry
Yea, though Christmas shopping and gatherings
Slippery roads and snowy travels we ponder
Yet hopes and fears, joys and sorrows
Mentally pent abide . . .
These on papers and screens shall we commit
From mind to mouth and mouth to mind
Fruit of truth is ripe
To tell all that our thoughts entail . . .

© Robert Magoola, Sunday, December 12, 2010

   

As we await the circumstances that will definitely show up during the spring 2010 semester, if the Lord tarries, let me propose that the poetry club will meet once a week on Tuesday for lunch in the cafeteria. I envisage that a typical session will start with a short prayer, one poet will read a poem he/ she has written and then we will listen to its background, study its meaning and test it by juxtaposing our understanding to the poet's stated intention. The aim is to assist one another in writing poetry which might lead to its publication. 

Above all I hope we will enjoy the times we spend together. It should be a fun fellowship, one where we discuss matters of common concern. Following the first few meetings we will find our best normal structure. The poetry club will be simple and around what all its members love and can relate to: poetry. 

A number of students at Asbury Seminary and a faculty member have already expressed interest in joining this group. I am so excited and can't wait for the next semester to roll around so we can share our poetry. 

The spring semester starts on the 7th of February. Our first meeting is on February 8th, at noon in the seminary cafeteria. Please watch this blog for further information.

Robert Magoola