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an original blessing community



October 3, 2013   
eNewsletter from
EVOLVEChesapeake

 

   

Chesapeake Creation Spirituality Community

 

Christianity Beyond Convention  

 
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IN THIS ISSUE
October 6th Sacred Gathering
Special Congregational Meeting
2nd Principle of Creation Spirtuality
Painting the Stars
October Covenant Dates
National Coming Out Week
Not What You Think
"harvested" by Christina Borgoyn
Youth Fall Fest at CBF
A Fall Reflection
Incarceration Forum
Support our Food Bank
Thich Nhat Hanh
Support our Ministry
Creation Spirituality Communities Online
Photo by Rick Dove
Find Us on Facebook
Our Business Sponsors

Chuck Riley

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Join our sacred gathering on Sundays normally at 6 PM at the Annapolis Friends Meeting at 351 Dubois Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

 Click here for directions.   

 
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The flower sheds all its petals and finds the fruit.
                                           - Tagore

 October 6, 2013

Third Sunday 
on the Path of Emptying  
 
Sacred Gathering at 6 PM
meeting at
 Annapolis Friends Meeting
351 Dubois Road, Annapolis
 
   Reflection by the Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt                 
Gathering Leaders:  
         Set-up/Put-away: Rick Dove & Tom Good             
     Greeter/Usher: Suzie Robertson         
    Reader/Communion Assistant: Sylvia Oliva        
                 Offering Invitation: Kim Hinken  
    Community Hour: Potluck Dinner; All are welcome!
    
 
Co-creating a Progressive Christian Spirituality

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Sunday, October 6, 2013 at 5:30 PM

 

On Sunday, September 29, we received a letter from the IRS requiring that amendments be made to our Articles of Incorporation in order to receive approval of our application for exemption from Federal Income taxes (and thereby making contributions to Evolve Chesapeake deductible for Federal income tax purposes).

 

In order to comply with their request, the Board of Directors is calling a Special Congregational Meeting for Sunday, October 6, 2013, at 5:30 PM at the Annapolis Friends Meeting, 351 Dubois Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.  Because the deadline for compliance does not allow for a one month notice to our Members as required by our Bylaws, the first order of business is the suspension of that rule by a majority vote.

 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

 

Pastor Wayne Schwandt

(202) 583-2158 Home office

(202) 253-9828 Mobile

 

                            ******************

AGENDA

 

Call to Order and Prayer

 

Motion to Suspend the Rules concerning Meeting Notice

 

The rules concerning notice of a congregational meeting shall be suspended for the purpose of this meeting to adopt amendments to our Bylaws as requested by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in its letter to Chesapeake Creation Spirituality Community, Inc., dated September 17, 2013. (A copy of the Bylaws can be downloaded here.)

 

Motion to Adopt the Bylaws as Requested by the IRS

 

The Articles of Amendment for a Religious Corporation as requested by the IRS (copy available by clicking here) are hereby adopted by this Congregational Meeting.

 

Adjournment 

 


From Creation Spirituality Communities:

2nd Principle of Creation Spirituality

God is as much Mother as Father,
as much Child as Parent,
as much God in mystery as the God in history,
as much beyond all words and images
as in all forms and beings.

We are liberated from the need to cling to God in one form or one literal name.


PAINTING THE STARS
 
Open Arms Arundel is starting a new study based on the Living the Questions series, "Painting the Stars."  The Sunday Painting the Stars group will meet at 4:30 PM at AFM on the fourth Sunday of each month.  The first one will be held on Sunday, October 20.

 

This group is open to anyone who would like to participate. 

 

The Reader for the series is available for download by clicking here.   

 


October Covenant Dates
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Covenant Dates

October   1  Meta Ann Snyder Death (1998)
October   7  Suzanne B. Hickmon Death (2000) 
October 10  Suzanne B. Hickmon Birthday (d.2000)
October 10  Sylvia Oliva Birthday
October 18  Jake Spencer Birthday
October 15  Velma Blitch Birthday (d.1999) 
October 19  Wayne Schwandt Birthday
October 21  Chuck Riley Birthday 
October 23  Tim Mortimore & John Petrosillo Wedding (2010)
October 23  Chuck Riley & Wayne Schwandt Marriage (2008)
October 29  Dennis L. Myers Birthday (d.2011)
October 29  Patrick Edward Price Birthday 
October 29  Daniel Teitjen Schellhorn Birthday (d.2008)
  
ANNE ARUNDEL COMMUNITY COLLEGE CELEBRATES 
NATIONAL COMING OUT WEEK
All events are free and open to the public.   

Oct.   7  Micro-aggression Workshop 12 noon-2 p.m. at the Cade Center
for Fine Arts Room 219.  Hannah Wu, a human rights specialist; sponsored by the Office of Student Engagement; learn about micro-aggression and how it can cause people to doubt their own abilities, lower self-esteem and cause anxiety.
  
Oct.   8  "Stuff that LGBTQ People Like" 12:30-2 p.m. at the Cade Center  for Fine Arts Room 219.  With Hannah Wu; sponsored by the Office of Student Engagement; explore ways to be inclusive and to be allies to the
LGBTQ population.  
                 
Oct.   9  National Coming Out Day Celebration 12 noon-1 p.m. at the
AACC Quad (area bordered by the Truxal Library, the Science Building, the Humanities Building and the Careers Center Building) - moves to Student Union dining hall in inclement weather.  Sponsored by the Human
Services Club and the Campus Activities Board.                     

Oct.   9  "Trans 101 Talk" 2-3 p.m. at Cade Center for Fine Arts Room 219.  Many misconceptions exist about what people mean by "trans." This talk will discuss trans communities and their concerns. 
 
Oct.   9  "LGBTQ Communities and Culture" 3-5 p.m. at Cade Center for Fine Arts Room 219;  with Hannah Wu; sponsored by the Office of Student
Engagement; learn how LGBTQ identity is viewed in diverse cultures.
  
Oct.   9   The Baltimore Men's Chorus, Baltimore's oldest gay chorus 6-7 p.m. in Humanities Building Room 112. They will perform a variety of choral music; sponsored by the Office of Student Engagement; www.tonyjbianca.wix.com/baltimoremenschorus
                   
Oct. 10   "Small Town Gay Bar"12:30 p.m. at Florestano Building Room 122. This is a documentary film focusing on two gay bars in the rural South
battling ignorance, hypocrisy and oppression.  Sponsored by the AACC Women's Institute. Discussion follows film. 
 
Oct. 11  "It Gets Better" 12 noon-2 p.m. in Humanities Building Room 112.  This is a video launch project; see powerful videos that LGBTQ and allied people
from the AACC community made in support of the "It Gets Better"project. Hear heart-felt testimonials from AACC students, faculty and staff as they share touching stories about their personal experiences; sponsored by the Curriculum Transformation Project and the Gender and Sexuality Studies program; these inspirational videos highlight hope, compassion and LGBTQ         resources at AACC. Our Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt is on the panel.

Oct. 11  "The Intersection Between Religion, Spirituality and the LGBTQ Community" 2-4 p.m. in Humanities Building Room 112.  A panel of spiritual and religious leaders in the county discuss LGBTQ and connecting with a higher power despite one's sexual orientation.  Our Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt is a member of this panel.

For more information call 410-777-2043 or visit www.aacc.edu/studentlife.

Not What You Think
In Concert at Unity by the Bay 
836 Ritchie Highway, Suite 18 
Severna Park, Maryland

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 AT 7:30 PM

musical notes
Not What You Think is an a cappella choral ensemble from the Lesbian and Gay Chorus of DC.  The group will perform selections from its repertoire of pop, light jazz, and folk music.

Sponsored by UBB's LGBT Outreach Committee; proceeds to benefit the UBB Building Fund; suggested donation $15.

 
harvested
                  by Christina Borgoyn


and sometimes I don't want to look at myself,
for fear you're going to wonder where the hell I am.

I swear I'm just the ghost mimicking your every move
as the wind blows slowly past September noon to
a very earnest October moon.

and I'm drowning, as if you didn't see me.
the colors of my hair fall plainly like the leaves
composting every flavor of forgetful bone
in my empty body.

if I were a tree, I'd have roots.
but I'm not god and these mortal parts hurt.
winter is on the horizon and the blood
pouring from monthly wounds

cannot, will not fill the empty hole
my mouth has become.

From G.A.I.N.

Chesapeake Interfaith Environmental Group Presents:
Youth Fall Fest
at Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Sunday, October 6 from 12:30 PM till 4:30 PM

Have you ever dredged for oysters or paddled a tidal marsh full of blue heron and osprey?  Join the CBF education staff to explore and learn about the Chesapeake Bay and its inhabitants.  It's an afternoon of fun and environmental education at the CBF green building headquarters. This is offered free to 4th graders and above.  Registration and a Health Form are required.  For more information and to register, visit: www.chesapeakeieg.com or call 410-798-0690. 


Reflection by a Friend of Evolve Chesapeake 
Nancy Striler  

We are here, there, everywhere, sometimes nowhere, family role, work role, patient, friend, leader, follower, scattered like leaves in the Fall.
 
God, omnipresent, calls us in all those places, raker of the leaves.

We come to worship, to share, to grow in our child-playing-leaves.jpg
sacred place.

All of our parts united, individually and as a group.

We become whole.

We are one with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We praise you and give you thanks.


 

  Forum on Incarceration:  

Prison Ministry in the Annapolis Area

 Thursday, October 10 at 7:30 P.M. 

St. John Neumann Church

620 N. Bestgate Road, Annapolis

     

The Greater Annapolis Interfaith Network GAIN) will present a forum on prison ministry on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 7:30 PM in the Community Room of St. John Neumann Church, 620 N. Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.

 

Come and learn what is being done by local faith groups and other organizations to work with people who are incarcerated. Speakers will include Leah Green, President of Maryland CURE; Val Hymes, Director of the Prison Ministry Task Force of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland; the Alternatives to Violence Program of the Annapolis Friends Meeting; the Prison Ministry of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Annapolis and a prison chaplain. A question and answer session will take place.

 

All are welcome to attend. It is hoped that this forum will be the beginning of looking at the urgent issue of incarceration both locally and in the nation.

 

Contact Liz Vanden Heuvel at 410-267-9009 or by email at liz2vh@comcast.net   for more information or directions.

 

Free Coupon

If you are a newcomer to our Sacred Gatherings, this coupon is for you!  It entitles you to a fresh loaf of home-baked bread made by our Pastor.  This delicious bread is usually made with raisins and honey.  Just cut out the coupon and place it in the offering plate next Sunday, then at the close of our Sacred Gathering you will receive, along with our welcome, the loaf free of charge.
Offer Expires: Never!

Support SCAN*, our Local Food Bank

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Help those in need by bringing to our Sunday gathering, an item or two for the local food bank when you are able.  Most welcome are pantry staples: tinned meat and fish, boxed pasta products, infant formula, etc. and personal care products such as toilet paper, laundry detergent, disposable razors, bath and shower soap, dish soap, toothpaste, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products.  Collection is ongoing every Sunday.

*South County Assistance Network

Thich Nhat Hanh on Mindfulness, Suffering, and Engaged Buddhism
From the transcript of his interview on On Being with Krista Tippett, Sept. 26, 2013

...It's like growing lotus flowers. You cannot grow lotus flowers on marble. You have to grow them on the mud. Without mud, you cannot have a lotus flower. Without suffering, you have no ways in order to learn how to be understanding and compassionate. That's why my definition of the kingdom of God is not a place where suffering is not, where there is no suffering...

 

... I could not like to go to a place where there is no suffering. I could not like to send my children to a place where there is no suffering because, in such a place, they have no way to learn how to be understanding and compassionate. And the kingdom of God is a place where there is understanding and compassion, and, therefore, suffering should exist.

 

... And suffering and happiness, they are both organic, like a flower and garbage. If the flower is on her way to become a piece of garbage, the garbage can be on her way to becoming a flower.

 

 

To listen to Thick Nhat Hanh, click on the "On Being" Quicklink in the left-hand column of the newsletter.  Scroll down to "Recent Shows."

We've earned $1,588.32 so far!
We invite you to help us: 
   
  Do you use iGive.com to shop online?   
Is iSearch.com your search engine?
 
If you answered "no" to one or both of those questions, you are missing out on donations to help fund our ministry.  Talk with Pastor Wayne if you need technical assistance under- standing how to do these passive donation options for YOUR community.

Other Ways to Support our Ministry:
Books for sale at our welcome table
Titles by Matthew Fox, John Shelby Spong, 
Marcus Borg, and others, and  
Rick Dove's large selection of beautiful nature photography: 
5" x 7" photocards @ $3 and matted photographs @ $10.
 
And don't forget that your used cell phones and empty ink jet and toner cartridges can also help fund our ministry.  These items fit nicely in the offering basket along with remembrance of time and talent you have offered to our ministries and your financial gifts.  Bring them to Gathering with you.  

CSC logo small You can become an individual member of Creation Spirituality
Communities or sign up as a participant in the online community for free.  Join our online community, Chesapeake Creation Spirituality Community, and take part in the discussion.  You can get more information and/or sign up by clicking on the following link: www.CreationSpirituality.info. This website is well worth checking out for its interesting videos of Matthew Fox and others who describe various facets of Creation Spirituality.  You'll also find updates of new conferences and much more.  
Rick Dove won First Place in the Wildlife category in the 2013 Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo contest with his photograph, "Aging Gracefully", of an Eastern Box Turtle.  Congratulations, Rick!

Thank you to all who are making this newsletter interesting.  Please send your contributions to EvolveSylvia@gmail.com.


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www.EvolveChesapeake.com
and other interesting websites under Quick Links in the sidebar at the top left.

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