Reader/Communion Assistant: Suzie Robertson
Offering Invitation: Sylvia Oliva
Community Hour: Potluck Supper, Everyone Welcome!

PLEASE NOTE ROTA IS SAME AS LAST SUNDAY'S

Co-creating a Progressive Spiritual Journey

BOOK GROUP MEETS DEC. 15

On Sunday, December 15 at 4:30 PM, the book group reading Zealot will meet at Annapolis Friends Meeting House. We are looking at Part II (pages. 73-146). Note that this is a rescheduling as we did not meet last Sunday due to the weather.

PLEASE RETURN YOUR PLEDGE CARD

We should have all received Pastor Wayne's Thanksgiving letter with an enclosed pledge card. Please consider what commitment you can make to support our community and return your pledge card no later than Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Tuesday, December 24 at 9:30 PM

GAIN'S NEW YEAR'S EVE

INTERFAITH WORSHIP CELEBRATION

Eastport United Methodist Church
926 Bay Ridge Avenue, Annapolis
6:30 PM

GAIN (The Greater Annapolis Interfaith Network) invites all to their 5th Annual New Year's Eve Interfaith Worship Celebration on December 31, 2013, at Eastport United Methodist Church, 926 Bay Ridge Ave., Annapolis. Musical offerings will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the service starting at 7:00 PM. The theme is Peace and Unity. Readings and prayers will be led by participating members of our diverse faith groups and local organizations. After the program we are invited to stay awhile to chat and enjoy refreshments.

December Covenant Dates

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Covenant Dates

December 11 Matthew Briggs Birthday
December 13 Joshua Braelon Lekberg Birthday (2010)
December 13 Lauren and Tony Slead Wedding (2003)
December 17 Roshi Chatlani Birthday
December 29 In Honor of Barry H. Cornwall (2002)
December 31 Meta Ann Snyder Birthday (d.1998)
December 31 Cynthia Brister death (2004)

From Creation Spirituality Communities:

12th Principle of Creation Spirituality:

Ecological justice is essential for the sustainability of life on Earth. Ecology is the local expression of cosmology and so we commit to live in light of this value: to pass on the beauty and health of Creation to future generations.

Rick Dove has many awesome nature photographs for sale in the form of cards, nicely matted photos, and enlarged, beautifully framed photos. They are displayed on our Welcome table in the lobby, and you can also visit his shop on Facebook.

Ways to Support our Ministry

At our Welcome Table in the Lobby there are books for sale by Matthew Fox, John Shelby Spong, Marcus Borg, and others. You'll also find Rick Dove's beautiful cards with nature photos. Buying these will help support Evolve Chesapeake's ministry.

And remember, 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.

This is the iGive Button, a very good way to raise funds when you shop on-line. Currently we will get an extra $5 for each new member that tries

the iGive button, even if they don't do any shopping. Get the button and name Evolve Chesapeake as your charity. It's always absolutely free.

THE COURAGE TO BE VULNERABLE

On Being last Sunday featured Brene Brown, who spoke with Krista Tippett on Shame and Vulnerability. Here is a bit of their conversation.

Ms. Tippett: ..... what are the qualities of... the genius in the art of living? It's kind of a phrase of Einstein's, spiritual genius. Wholehearted lives would be another way to say it. It's not just that the things that go wrong for us are part of our wholeness... as you describe, that the vulnerability is what makes us - keeps us in, but also that what goes wrong for us is part of our gift to the world. It's what enables us to connect and be compassionate. I mean, that's a lovely way to think about, you know, the hard, possibly excruciating upside of the fact that so many of us are struggling and suffering right now.

Ms. Brown: I agree 100 percent, and I think it points to maybe one of the deepest paradoxes about vulnerability, which is when I meet you, vulnerability is a very first thing I try to find in you and it's the very last thing I want to show you in me because it's the glue that holds connection together.

It's all about our community humanity and, when we own our stories and we share our stories with one another and we see ourselves reflected back in the stories of people in our lives, we know we're not alone. And to me, that's the heart of wholeheartedness, it's the center of spirituality. To me, that's the nature of connection, to be able to see myself and hear myself and learn more about myself in the stories you tell about your experiences.

Click here for a link to listen to the complete program.

From Erine Sedicum

We had no time to share

as the weather was not fair

It decided that it would snow,

rain and sleet

without any care

But come 6pm

there was I thinking-

thinking of "Companions on a Journey,"

"My Blue Boat" and "We Are a Church"

I watched my clock for a moment more

I looked into my heart and I know

Whether we're in body or not

We are together in spirit...

If that is not connection

then what is...

Then What Is!!!

Thank you to all who read this newsletter and to those who send contributions to make it interesting. Please send your contributions to EvolveSylvia@gmail.com.

In Memory of a Great Leader

Be silent,
Be still.
Alone.
Empty
Before your God.
Say nothing.
Ask nothing.
Be silent.
Be still
Let your God
Look upon you.
That is all.
God knows
And understands.
God loves you with
An enormous love.
Wanting only to
Look upon you
With love.
Quiet,
Still,
Be.

Let your God -
Love you.

Anon.

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And, visit us at Evolve Chesapeake's Sacred Gatherings Sunday 6 PM.