Originally Blessed!

an original blessing community


  June 6, 2014    
  eNewsletter from
  EVOLVEChesapeake

 

 

 Chesapeake Creation Spirituality Community

on the Path of Transformation
and Celebrating
Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Gay Pride and Spirituality 

IN THIS ISSUE
June 8th Sacred Gathering
From Pastor's Keyboard
Rabbi Jesus Book Group
From Erine
Food Bank
CPF Sunset River Cruise
Ways to Support our Ministry
Registration for Creation Spirituality Gathering in Pittsburgh
"Mona Lisa is Missing"
June Covenant Dates
Creation Spirituality Communities
From Michael Leunig
Try iGive
Find Us on Facebook
Our Business Sponsors
Chuck Riley
Chuck Riley
Chuck makes a
donation  to Evolve
Chesapeake from every commission received through our community!
For your real estate needs in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, or across the country contact:

   

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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 House, 351 Dubois Road, Annapolis, MD 21401. Click here for directions. 
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We remember that none of us are isolated or alone in oppression,
for when one is oppressed we all are oppressed, and that
our courage together sometimes begins with courage from one!

                                                - from A Litany of Freedom and Pride

June 8, 2014
  
Twelfth Sunday on the Path of Transformation and Second Sunday of
Pridetide 
 
Sacred Gathering at 6 PM
at
 Annapolis Friends Meeting House 
351 Dubois Road, Annapolis, MD 
 
Our Second "Voice of Pride"
Reflection by the Rev. Ryan Sirmons
Pastor, United Church of Christ of Annapolis 
  
Gathering Leaders:
Set-up/Put-away: Rick Stewart 
Greeter/Usher: Sylvia Oliva
Reader/Communion Assistant: Sylvia Oliva 
Offering Invitation: Suzie Robertson 
Community Hour Hosts: Scott Bowling and Dave Miller

justice * shalom * return * sustainability * healing
relieving suffering * compassion * interference *
peacemaking 

From Pastor's Keyboard
The Rev. Wayne Schwandt
 
Our Reflection Series, "Voices of Pride," continues this Sunday with our guest preacher, Rev. Ryan Sirmons, Pastor of the United Church of Christ of Annapolis.  When Ryan called me to talk about speaking this Sunday, he said, "of course you are asking me to preach about pride as one of the seven deadly sins, right?"  I assured him that that was NOT what was I was asking.  Ryan has a wonderful trickster personality and humor which he brings to his ministry.
 
Ryan will speak about the celebration of Pride within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities.  As a straight man in ministry in the denomination which took a stand in favor of gays and lesbians in the church very early in the movement, he brings a different voice to our series.  Ryan and his wife, Irish, have quickly become friends in ministry with Evolve Chesapeake since their first visit with us on World AIDS Days, December 1, 2013.  

Please join me in welcoming Ryan and Irish to our community again this Sunday.  

Stay tuned for the weekly announcements of our "Voices of Pride."

Peace, Wayne 
Rabbi Jesus Book Group Meeting June 8th

We will meet June 8th, 4:00-5:30 pm at Annapolis Friends Meeting House to discuss Rabbi Jesus, An Intimate Biography by Bruce Chilton.  If you would like to have a book
and/or join us, contact Pastor Wayne at SchwandtW@aol.com.

 From Erine
I have been wanting to do a Community 3 but something in my recent experience has made me more an introvert.  My internal mirror has been active.  Being out of work and limited helps me see how I let things slip by like your dreams.  My dreams have fallen into this stew pot called living.  You stay on the mechanics too long and forget to dream.  Again, that is what it has been to me... So sitting at home in my pink fuzzy bathrobe and bare feet, my brains started working.  It was like a fire started and I ain't aiming to put it out.  I have many to thank but community plays a part and I know many of us have been going through our trials.  Thank you, Evolve for being there in my spirit, heart, and mind.  This is a hard struggle but so much easier with....my list is too long. Thanks for being a place of love for even hard heads like me.
Beginning of Pridetide
in our Sacred Gathering on June 1st
null
Please help the food bank if you can, by bringing along a food staple or personal care product such as soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent, etc. when you come to Sacred Gathering. It is always much appreciated.

Sunset River Cruise  

June 21st, 6:00-8:00 PM

All proceeds go to Chesapeake Pride Festival, Inc.

          
Join us again this  year for another relaxing cruise on the Richard Lee. This lovely restored boat will cruise us along the West River out to the Chesapeake Bay. The sunset view is breathtaking. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and soft drinks. Cash bar.                               Click here for more information and to 
buy tickets.  

Some Ways You might Support our Ministry     

Check out our Welcome Table in the lobby. There are books for sale by Bruce Chilton, Matthew Fox, John Shelby Spong, Marcus Borg, and others.  You'll also find Rick Dove's large selection of nature photography:  5x7 photocards @$3 and matted photographs @$10. See one of Rick's photos at the bottom of the 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.  

REGISTER NOW FOR A CREATION SPIRITUALITY 

GATHERING  IN PITTSBURGH THIS JUNE

Renew your friendships! Refresh your vision! re-Source! your CS Community! Gift your wisdom and skills to the Creation Spirituality movement!
On June 20-22, 2014, the Creation Spirituality community will gather at First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh for a time of spiritual renewal for ourselves and our communities.
We will deepen our spiritual practices, body prayers, meditative art forms, ritual leadership, and spiritual wisdom to connect more deeply to Source and to enliven our compassionate action in the world.  Visit the re-Source! website for information and to register.  
"MONA LISA IS MISSING"
View documentary film at St. John's College on Sunday, June 8th 

Did you know that in 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the
Louvre?  At 3:00 PM on Sunday, June 8, at St. John's College's 
Francis Scott Key auditorium, you can learn all  about the theft and the man behind it in a screening of the documentary film
"Mona Lisa is Missing".  Presented by the Caritas Society in
cooperation with the Mitchell Gallery, a Q&A with the filmmakers will follow the screening, as well as a reception. 
Tickets are $15 and include beer and wine at the reception.  Proceeds go towards helping pay the bills of St. John's students in extreme financial need, allowing them to remain in school. Purchase tickets at http://www.sjc.edu/events-and-programs/annapolis/caritas-society/ or at the door, or send checks payable to the Caritas Society to: 60 College Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401.
June Covenant Dates
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Covenant Dates  

June  2   Roy D. Woods Birthday (d. 2005)
June  3   Scott Bowling Birthday
June  3   Tim Mortimore Birthday
June  3   Debbie Dewald Birthday
June  3   Debbie Bohle & Cindy Brown Holy Union (2006)
June  6   Samantha Esther Riley Birthday
June  7   Adri Eathorne Birthday
June  9   Terry Shanahan Birthday
June 20  Oscar Kidd Birthday
June 21  Glen O. Van Steenburg Birthday (d. 1999)
June 28  Ben Dickerson & Eric Lekberg Holy Union (2003)
June 28  Yolanda Kresslein Death (1999)

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.

 
Dear God,

We struggle, we grow weary, we grow tired. 
We are exhausted, we are distressed, we despair. 
We give up, we fall down, we let go. 
We cry. We are empty, we grow calm, we are ready 
We wait quietly. 
A small, shy truth arrives. 
Arrives from without and within us. 
Arrives and is born. Simple, steady, clear.
Like a mirror, like a bell, like a flame, like rain in summer
A precious truth arrives and is born within us. Within our emptiness.
We accept it, we observe it, we absorb it.
We surrender to our bare truth.
We are nourished, we are changed.
We are blessed. We rise up.
For this we give thanks.
Amen 

                    Michael Leunig Appreciation Page, December 17, 2013 

Shop or Search Online with the iGive Button

As of June 5th we have earned $1,641.44 for Evolve Chesapeake.

Join iGive and be a part of the first and largest online network of shoppers, online stores, and worthy causes dedicated to turning online shopping into much-needed donations. iGive is totally free. Plus, you get access to free shipping deals and coupons, on top of the great deals you'll find every day through this network of more than 1,000 stores such as Amazon.com, Pottery Barn, REI, Staples, Petco, Expedia, Best Buy, OVC and more.  Best of all, up to 25% of your purchase at each store is donated to Evolve Chesapeake when you name it as your cause.
You can also raise a penny per search at iGive every time you search the web.  Try iGive's search engine and you'll see that fundraising for Evolve Chesapeake can be easy and free.


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 we would love to know how we can improve our newsletter. 


Young Cardinal photographed by Rick Dove 
  

Find us on Facebook 

If you have a profile on Facebook, become a fan of CCSC (Evolve Chesapeake) 
by clicking here.  Upload pictures, start a discussion, invite friends.
 
Visit our website: www.EvolveChesapeake.com
  and other great websites under Quick Links in the top left column. 
And join us in Sacred Gathering this Sunday.