"The 27th annual AIDS Walk Washington will present its annual Courage Award to the late Sean Sasser, well-known HIV activist, at the Walk on October 26 at Freedom Plaza.
"Sean made his difference in the world - not for what he said - but how he lived - how he shared his life, himself and his love," said Michael Kaplan, Sean's partner and President of AIDS United."

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 communi- ty, Chesapeake Creation Spirituality Community, and take part in the discussion.  For more information and/or to sign up, click on: 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.

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

From The Writer's Almanac, October 21, 2013       

   This is based on Luke 18:1-8, the parable of a widow whose persistence before an uncaring judge finally won her justice. Remember, widows in that time had a very low social status, and this judge had "no fear of God and no respect for anyone;" he was merely a dispenser of decisions, not of justice.
   The parable begins with the moral: the "need to pray always and not to lose heart," exemplified by the widow coming to him time after time. It makes us wonder what prayer is about!  What do we think?  Is God like Santa Claus, or like some vending machine?  Does God give us what we want if we're good, as in the so-called Prosperity Gospel?  Let's throw out all those ideas!
   Notice how clear the widow is in knowing what she wants and how persistent she is. She has conviction, trusts herself, and knows that it is right for her to have what she wants. Our pastor told us about a difficult period of time in his life in which he longed to be an Episcopal priest and kept "bellyaching" that he couldn't do it...until someone challenged him to do something!  After getting over his anger, he decided not to remain a victim and not to give up. 
    We can be attached to being a victim. The widow invites us to get over it (pick up your victimhood and walk!) and find a new story for ourselves. If you want to change your life, then change it!  Via Negativa leads us right down the path to the edge of nothingness, where we are asked to let go. There are things in your life that we don't have control over, but it's up to us to figure out what we can do. To give us heart, Jesus uses as a symbol of overcoming injustice: a poor, powerless widow!
    Everything we ever need in our life is already with us.  We have a lot of capacity, a lot of potential in our life.  Don't waste it being stuck with somebody we don't want to be.  Get out of the darkness! 
   "The arc of the universe bends towards justice," said Martin Luther King.  It bends towards justice for me! Get up and start doing something in your life that you say you want to do.  Be persistent about your dream for justice in your own life and in the world.  Never mind that the judge doesn't listen.

We did it through www.CleanCurrents.com.  After we contacted them and asked them to switch us to wind power, they emailed us saying:

We are currently finalizing your switch to wind power. Here's what's      happening behind the scenes:  

1. We're telling your utility to change your electric supplier to Clean Currents.
2. Once your utility makes this change, we will send you a final email confirmation. 
3. Clean Currents service will start in the billing cycle following your successful switch.

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.