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July 6, 2014

Third Sunday on the

Path of Awe! and Wonder!

Sacred Gathering at 6 PM

Annapolis Friends Meeting House

351 Dubois Road, Annapolis, MD

Our Sixth "Voice of Pride"

Gathering Leaders:

Set-up/Put-away: Beth Lanier

Greeter/Usher: Suzie Robertson

Reader/Communion Assistant: Beth Lanier

Offering Invitation: Dave Miller

Community Hour: All are Invited to Potluck Supper

Special Guest Speaker

at Sacred Gathering on Sunday, July 6th to speak on his Faith in Transition

A story of a 19-year-old born biologically female and who came into adulthood as a man. Kyle Kentopp will share his struggle reconciling first his gender in the face of society and faith, and then reconciling faith itself as an openly transgender individual. This talk will take a look into the human side of the transgender issue becoming so relevant in today's newest civil rights movement. Sponsored by The United Church of Christ of Annapolis and Evolve Chesapeake. Sunday, July 6, at 6pm as part of Evolve Chesapeake's Sacred Gathering at 351 Dubois Road, Annapolis. Contact office@uccannapolis.org.

From the Pastor's Keyboard

The Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt

This Sunday we have a very special guest, Kyle Kentopp, who will share about his journey as a transgender person. If you can, please attend our Sacred Gathering this Sunday to offer him our support. His being with us this Sunday is being jointly sponsored with the United Church of Christ of Annapolis which has issued some publicity about this event.

Our journey along the path of awe and wonder continues this Sunday as we continue to celebrate Divine presence in Creation. Gather in meditation prior to the start of our Gathering as we watch the beautiful and inspiring slide show developed by Rick Dove of his nature photographs.

As we celebrate Independence Day as Americans this weekend, let us remember not only our freedom but also our INTERDEPENDENCE with each other and Creation. None of us is an island all unto our self. This is never more apparent than when a community bound together in love, stands with members of the community who are in need due to health, employment, or family issues.

We continue our prayers for all in our community who especially need them this week:

Scott, Dave and their families during Scott's illness;

Erine, for new work and her new living arrangements;

Wayne's Mother and Aunt in times of failing health;

Sylvia's brother-in-law, John;

Peace throughout the Middle East.

Peace, Shalom, Salaam,

Wayne

Food Bank

Please help the food bank if you can, by bringing along a food staple or personal care product such as deodorant, toothpaste, laundry detergent, etc. when you come to Sacred Gathering. It is always much needed and much appreciated.

Our Community Table at Pridetide - Photo by Erine Sedicum

July Covenant Dates

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Covenant Dates

July   3   Scott Bowling & Dave Miller Wedding (2010)
July   5   Erine Sedicum Birthday
July   5   Jean M. Dove Death (2012)

July 7 Esther Elizabeth Grosperrin Death (1999)
July 7 Rachel Welch Birthday

CHASING ICE

GREATER ANNAPOLIS INTERFAITH NETWORK (GAIN)

presents an

ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL

FREE

JULY 10, 2014

ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH

Community Room

620 Bestgate Road

Annapolis, MD 21401

7:00 PM

CHASING ICE

"Chasing Ice", a spectacular, award-winning film about the rapid decline of polar glaciers will be shown at the St John Newman Community Room. Watch the glaciers melt away before your eyes!

Following the film there will be a brief review of what is being done, and could be done to slow Global Warming and glacier decline. Discussion will be led by Will Candler and Wes Jordon, local environmentalists and members of the Climate Stewards of Greater Annapolis.

For further information or directions contact Liz at liz2vh@comcast.net or by phone at 410-267-9009.

August 2, 2014 at Mayo Beach Park, Edgewater, Maryland from Noon to 6 PM

If you would like to make a financial contribution to the success of the Festival, please go online to http://chesapeakepridefestival.org and contribute or send a check to Chesapeake Pride Festival, PO Box 6631, Annapolis, MD 21401. The Pride Committee is seeing to raise $3,000 by July 9 to help guarantee the Festival will happen this year.

PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS CHESAPEAKE PRIDE FESTIVALS

From the Sierra Club

An Action on July 13, 2014 for Environmental Justice

On July 13, "fracktivists," climate organizers, and movement leaders from up and down the Eastern seaboard are coming together in Washington, DC to say NO to fracked gas exports. Will you join us?

WHAT: Rally & March to Stop Fracked Gas Exports

WHEN: Sunday, July 13, 12:30-3:30 PM

WHERE: Washington, DC

The proposed LNG facility at Cove Point would increase demand for fracking in communities from Pennsylvania to Colorado, poisoning their air and water and releasing millions of tons of climate-warming methane. Right now, FERC is nearing a decision on one export facility just fifty miles from the White House. Cove Point, Maryland has become a symbolic fight in the effort to block liquefied natural gas development, and now is our chance to stop it at Cove Point and beyond.

What is "CSC"? A network of communities ranging from intentional groups to alternative churches, which are grounded in the tenets of Creation Spirituality and revere the sacredness of all creation. Through study, ritual, celebration and action, these communities support justice, compassion, transformation and sus- tainability for the Universe and for all living beings. It is both tradition and movement, celebrated by mystics and agents of social change from every age and culture.

Join our online community, Chesapeake Creation Spirituality Community, and you can read more about Creation Spirituality, discover inspiring opportunities, learn about CS communities in your area, or network with others to create a CS community. Click on: http://originalblessing.ning.com.

RAMADAN

Pakistani Muslims at evening prayer on the first day of Ramadan.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of fasting for the Islamic people. Each day during this month, Muslims all over the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, as well as participating in anything that is ill-natured or excessive; from dawn until the sun sets. Fasting is intended to educate the Muslim in spirituality, humility and patience. It is a time to cleanse the soul, focus attention on God, and practice selflessness.

From Erine

Here is it,

Is it here

It is here...

Let it rain

Rain let it...

Shining Sun

Sun shining...

There are always

different ways to see

THE WORLD...

Which way do you see?

Looking for an opportunity to share more

sacred circle dancing (body prayer) and
chants? Come join us on July 27 at 4:30
PM and we'll explore these together.

Next meeting of the Rabbi Jesus book group will be on July 13 at
4 PM. We will discuss Chapters 9-11. As always, all are welcome.

CLICK ON FOLLOWING TITLE TO SEE AND HEAR:

The "Awe and Wonder" in Our World

by Rick Dove

"I wanted to share this video clip of my 'Awe and Wonder' photos that I placed on YouTube.... I like to sit in a quiet room, play the video, relax, and go into a different 'zone' for a little while.

I hope you enjoy it."

Some Ways to Support our Ministry

Check out the books and photo cards on 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. See one of Rick's photos at the bottom of the newsletter.

5x7 photo cards @ $ 3 & matted photographs @ $10

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.

Shop or Search Online with the iGive Button.

Join iGive and be a part of the first and largest online network of shop-
pers, 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.

As of July 2nd we have earned $1,641.59 through iGive for Evolve Chesapeake.

Click here for more information about iGive.com.

Thank you to all who read this newsletter and to all who send contri-

butions that liven it up! Send your poems, articles, photographs, news, announcements, etc. to: EvolveSylvia@gmail.com. And please let us know how we can improve our newsletter.

"Remembering those that have served or are serving our country."

Photo by Rick Dove

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.