Originally Blessed!

an original blessing community


  February 20, 2014    
  eNewsletter from
  EVOLVEChesapeake

 

  Chesapeake Creation Spirituality Community

 

Our Core Values: 

We embrace all seekers of Creator.   

All are born in Original Blessing, not original sin.   

       
IN THIS ISSUE
February 23rd Sacred Gathering
Margaret Mead quote
Reading Group Restarts with Rabbi Jesus
From Erine
Food Bank
GAIN Program on Parole & Probation
Bayard Rustin
"Painting the Stars"
1st Point of Progressive Christianity
"Jesus in the First and Twenty-First Centuries"
Creation Spirituality Communities
Support for our Ministry
re-Source!
February Covenant Dates
Photo by Rick Dove
Find Us on Facebook
Our Business Sponsors
Chuck Riley
For your real estate needs in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, or across the country contact:

   

   

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iGive.com


Check out Evolve Chesapeake's online bookstore at:
CCCS Sphere  
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. 

 
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List

 February 23, 2014

  Eighth Sunday on the Path of Creativity 
art as meditation ... discipline ... imagination ... play 
birthing ... possibility ... aesthetic ... seed planting 
cosmogenesis ... co-creativity 
 
Sacred Gathering at 6 PM
at Annapolis Friends Meeting House 
351 Dubois Road, Annapolis, MD

 
Reflection by the Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt 

Gathering Leaders: 
Set-up/Put-away: Dave Miller 
Greeter/Usher: Chuck Riley 
Reader/Communion Assistant: Suzie Robertson 
Offering Invitation: Beth Lanier 
Community Hour Host: Suzie Robertson
            
    Christianity Beyond Convention!        
 
Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world;
indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

                                                                    - Margaret Mead
Join the Reading Group to discuss Rabbi Jesus.
March 9 will be the first meeting of group. 
The Reading Group will begin its study of Rabbi Jesus by Bruce Chilton. You may order a copy of the book online at Amazon or send an email to SchwandtW@aol.com for a copy that was purchased for the group. Cost for a used copy is $5. March 9 is our starting date and we will meet at AFM from 4:00-5:30 PM. We have invited members of the Annapolis Friends and the United Church of Christ of Annapolis to join us. Reading Group will meet each 2nd Sunday at the same time until the end of May. 
From Erine
This quote is from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the book published in 1801:

O happy living things!  No tongue
Their beauty might declare:
A spring of love gushed from my heart,
And I blessed them unaware:
Sure my kind saint took pity on me,
And I blessed them unaware.

I think about how we touch each other and will never know. Perhaps we will never understand or know but I will bless with all my heart.  Love is a great gift...









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     Remember the food bank, please.
     Bring along a food staple or personal
     care product when you come to
     Sacred Gathering, if you can. Thanks!
  

THE GREATER ANNAPOLIS INTERFAITH NETWORK (GAIN) 

 

HAS RESCHEDULED A PROGRAM ON PAROLE & PROBATION  

TO THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20   7:30 PM

At the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Annapolis

333 Dubois Road, Annapolis, MD 21401

  

Panel: Judge Philip Caroom

            Lea Green, President of Maryland CURE 

            Ruth Ann Ogel, Program Manager, MD Parole and 

                                        Probation Commission 
We will spend an hour or so learning what the rules and procedures are for inmates to be considered for parole or probation in Anne Arundel County and the State of Maryland and how these are working or not working.  Everyone is invited to attend and take part in the conversation.  The program will take place in the RE Sanctuary.  Enter the front door and take the steps just to your left.  For directions or other questions contact: Liz Vanden Heuvel at liz2vh@comcast.net
or at 410-267-9009.

 

UPCOMING PROGRAMS OF GAIN:   

March 13, 2014 - Climate Change and Fracking in Maryland 

April 10, 2014     - Public Housing  

Bayard Rustin
From an article from The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
1912-1987

"This Black History Month, we honor Bayard Rustin, an openly gay man who was a leader in the civil rights movement, chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington and an LGBT activist.
"In 2013, Rustin was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In awarding the medal, President Obama said, 'For decades, this great leader, often at Dr. King's side, was denied his rightful place in history because he was openly gay. No medal can change that, but today, we honor Bayard Rustin's memory by taking our place in his march towards true equality, no matter who we are or who we love.'"

Sunday, February 23:
Painting the Stars, Session 4 will be shown at AFM at 4:30 PM.

Tuesday, February 25:
At Open Arms we will have dinner @ 6:30 PM and view Session 5 of Painting the Stars. Contact Pastor Wayne at SchwandtW@aol.com for more information.
  
FROM THE 8 POINTS OF PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY:

Point 1. By calling ourselves progressive, we mean that we are
Christians who have found an approach to God through the
life and teachings of Jesus.

Jesus in the First and

Twenty-First Centuries

A Jesus Seminar on the Road

                                  

April 4 - 5, 2014 

 

At Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church

3401 Nebraska Avenue NW Washington, DC

 

What does the rediscovery of the historical Jesus and his vision of the reign of God mean for the heirs of the Christian tradition? Does this Jesus have any relevance for people who claim no allegiance to Christianity? The presenters offer their insights and engage participants in a discussion about the relationship of Christianity to contemporary politics, economics, and global power.

 

For more information, click here. 

For a seminar flyer and registration form, click here. 

You can become an individual member of Creation Spirituality Communities or sign up  as a participant in the online CSC logo smallcommunity 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: http://originalblessing.ning.com.  NOTE: This website is well worth checking out, with its interesting videos of Matthew Fox and others on different facets of Creation Spirituality.  You'll also find news of upcoming conferences and much more.
Ways to Support our Ministry  

WE HAVE EARNED $1,624.92 THROUGH iGIVE
AS OF FEBRUARY 20TH     
                      
This is the iGive Button, a very good way to raise funds when you shop on-line. Get the button and name Evolve Chesapeake as your charity.  It's always absolutely free, no strings attached! I you need a little technical help in getting iGive, contact Pastor Wayne at SchwandtW@aol.com.
 
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 large selection of beautiful nature photography:  5x7 photocards @$3 and matted photographs @$10.  Buying these will help support Evolve Chesapeake's ministry. (See Rick's Eastern Bluebird at the bottom of this newsletter.) 
 
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. 
   FREE COUPON 
If you are a newcomer to our Sacred Gatherings, this coupon is for you.  It entitles you to a fresh
loaf of delicious home-baked bread, usually with raisins and honey, made by our Pastor. 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.  Note: fish not included!!


February Covenant Dates
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Covenant Days 
    
February  3   Karl D. Walker Birthday (d. 2008) 
February  8   Shane Matthew Riley Birthday 
February 15  Wayne E. Schwandt Ordination (2007)
February 17  Regina Rawlings Birthday 
Thank you to all who read this newsletter and to all who send contributions that liven it up!  Please send your poems, articles, news, photographs, announcements, etc. to:  EvolveSylvia@gmail.com.  And let us know how we can improve our newsletter.    
 Photograph by Rick Dove
 Visit our website: www.EvolveChesapeake.com
and other great websites under Quick Links in the top left column. 

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If you have a profile on Facebook, become a fan of CCSC (Evolve Chesapeake)
by clicking here. Upload pictures, start a discussion, invite friends.
And visit us at our Sacred Gathering Sunday 6 PM.