Originally Blessed!
an original blessing 
community

  September 19, 2014    
  eNewsletter from
  EVOLVEChesapeake

 

Chesapeake Creation Spirituality Community

  

Christianity Beyond Convention
IN THIS ISSUE
September 21st Sacred Gathering
The Pastor's Keyboard
U.C.C. Forum
Chant Circle Sept. 28
Fall Community Meeting Oct. 19
Open Arms Sept. 30
Weekly Food & Goods Collection
Erine's Reflection on the Clouds
People's Climate March
September Covenant Dates
Support our Ministries
Creation Spirituality Communities
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:

   

 iGive Logo

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 House, 351 Dubois Road, Annapolis, MD 21401. Click here for directions. 
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List

September 21, 2014
 
First  Sunday  
on the Path of Emptying

Reflection by Pastor Wayne Schwandt

Annapolis Friends Meeting House
351 Dubois Road, Annapolis

Gathering Leaders:
Set-up/Put away: Rick Stewart
Greeter/Usher: Suzie Robertson
Reader/Communion Assistant: Tom Good
Offering Invitation: Suzie Robertson
Community Hour Hostess: Beth Lanier

We continue our progressive spiritual journey!
The Pastor's Keyboard
The Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt

The seasons we observe during our Sacred Gatherings are derived from the Four Paths of Creation Spirituality -- awe and wonder, emptying, creativity, and transformation. Unlike the traditional seasons of the Christian church which are either determined by the life of Jesus as presented in the Synoptic Gospels or events in the life of the church, our seasons are "Earth-based" and change at the equinoxes and solstices each year.  September 23 is the date of the Autumnal Equinox, so this Sunday we move from our Path of Awe and Wonder to the Path of Emptying.  We will celebrate the equinox by joining around our candle "bonfire" and offering our silent prayers as we gather.  We will pray together with our Buddhist Prayer Bowls and bells.  (If you have a favorite bell, bring it along and ring it during our prayer time.)

This Sunday we take the next big step towards a decision about joining with the United Church of Christ of Annapolis (UCCA) in ministry. Please come to hear the presentation of Rev. Ryan Sirmons and members of UCCA about the United Church of Christ (UCC) and their congregation.  This is the first of two forums in which the communities share with each other as we consider affiliating with each other.  At our Community Meeting on October 19 we will vote on the question of affiliation. 

This forum is a great opportunity to learn more about the UCC and this congregation in particular. I was viewing the UCC website this morning to learn more about the church's polity, history and theology.  More than any other thing, the UCC wants to be known as the church of "Extravagant Welcome." Their history supports this claim through it's history of "firsts." First African American pastor (1785), first woman pastor (1853), first openly Gay pastor (1972). A great resource for learning more can be found by clicking here.

To view UCCA's newsletter from this week, click here.

Please come to our Community Forum this Sunday, September 21 to hear the presentation, ask your questions, and share in our Sacred Gathering.  Forum starts at 4 PM. 

Hope to see you there!

Peace, Wayne
What God does first and best and most 
is to trust his people with their moment in history. 
He trusts them to do what must be done 
for the sake of his whole community.
                                                     Walter Brueggemann
We are Invited to a Forum
on the United Church of Christ (U.C.C.) 
Sunday, September 21 from 4:00 to 5:30 PM
The Rev. Ryan Sirmons and Parishioners
The Rev. Ryan Sirmons, Pastor of the U.C.C. of Annapolis, along with some members of his Church will present a forum to help us under- stand the theology, practice and organiza- tion of the United Church of Christ. Each family in our community may pick up a resource book as background for our discussion.  Please see Pastor Wayne for that (SchwandtW@aol.com.)  The book is entitled What matters to you? Matters to us: engaging six vital themes of our faith.  The forum will be from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at the Annapolis Friends Meeting House.

Chant Circle Sunday, September 28 
4:00 to 5:30 pm, just before our Sacred Gathering  
at Annapolis Friends Meeting House  
Join us for an experience of body prayer, chant and drumming. 
  No previous experience necessary! 
autumn-winding-road.jpghere.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 3:30 to 5:30 PM 
in Annapolis Friends Meeting House, Worship Room
EVOLVE CHESAPEAKE'S FALL COMMUNITY MEETING 
Please mark your calendars and come.  Among the agenda items will be votes concerning affiliation with the United Church of Christ of Annapolis and our proposed 2015 budget.  All Companions are encouraged to attend this important meeting and participate in the discussion, but only members may vote.  You may download the meeting packet, which includes the Agenda, Secretary's Minutes of our Spring Community Meeting, Treasurer's Reports as of August 31, 2014, and a Proposed FY2015 Budget, by clicking here.
Open Arms to Return on September 30 
After our summer break, we look forward to meeting for Open Arms on Tuesday, September 30 at 6:30 P.M.  Come for dinner and discussion about our invitation to become a ministry of the United Church of Christ of Annapolis.  We can continue our discussion of the book, "What matters to you? matters to us."  For further information contact Pastor Wayne at SchwandtW@aol.com.  Everyone welcome! 
WEEKLY FOOD/GOODS COLLECTION AT EVOLVE CHESAPEAKE 
food bank image

Please help those in need by donating  pantry staples (tinned meat and fish, boxed pasta products, infant formula, etc.) as well as personal care products such as laundry detergent, toilet paper, disposable razors, bath/shower soap, dish soap, deodorant, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products.  

From Erine  
Photo by Erine Sedicum
Have you ever stopped and looked at the clouds? I saw this and it
reminded me of an angel with wings.  I could feel the energy.  At the same time, it reminded me of a Mermaid pushing up with all her energy to see the sky above her watery home.  A cloud can be anything.  Letting your inner child see it makes it more
                                                            beautiful.     
PEOPLE'S CLIMATE MARCH NEW YORK CITY, SEPTEMBER 21
Message from Interfaith Power & Light 

What is the People's Climate March?
The People's Climate March will be the largest climate justice mobilzation in history! Half a million people (or more, with your help!) will be gathering in New York City to tell world leaders not to wait a minute longer to take serious action on climate. The People's Climate March is just two days before a special UN summit to bring together heads of state, including President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping, to talk seriously about climate change.
Can't make it to NYC?    
Tell U.S. leaders they must take moral leadership on climate and take the lead on a global climate treaty. Sign the Faith Climate 
Petition to make sure our community's voice is loud and clear.  

September Covenant Dates         
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Covenant Dates       
Sept    4    Karl D. Walker Death (2008)
Sept  11    Marvin Roger Woods Death (2001)
Sept  13    Janice Creamer & Cherly Lanore Civil Union in CT (2007)
Sept  15    Laura Cooper Birthday
Sept  17    Rick Stewart Birthday
Sept  19    Dennis L. Myers Death (2011)
Sept  20    Justin Michael Abell Birthday (2001)
Sept  23    William E. Riley Birthday
Sept  28    Glen O. Van Steenburg Death (1999)

Help Support Evolve Chesapeake's Ministries      
Shop or Search Online with the iGive Button. Join iGive and be a part of the first and largest online network of shoppers, online stores, and worthy causes dedicated to turning online shipping into much-needed donations.  iGive is totally free.  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.  Click here for more information about iGive.

As of September 189th Evolve Chesapeake has earned $1,647.29 through iGive!  
Check out the books and photo cards. 
Photo by Rick Dove
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 his photos at the right.  Rick's 5 x 7 photo cards
are $3 and his matted photographs are $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 Sacred Gathering with you.   
Sunrise at Richard Sims Park, Annapolis, Maryland, photographed by Scott Bowling
Creation Spirituality Communities is a network of communities ranging from intentional groups to alternative churches, which are grounded in the tenents of Creation Spirituality and revere the sacredness of all creation. Through study, ritual, celebration and action, these communities support justice, compassion, transforma- tion and sustainability 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.  To join our online community, Chesapeake Creation Spirituality Community, click on:  http://originalblessing.ning.com 


Thanks to all who are reading our newsletter and all who send contributions that liven it up!  Send your poems, articles, photographs, news, announcements, etc. by Thursday night to: EvolveSylvia@gmail.com.  Your ideas on how we can improve Originally Blessed!! are also always very welcome. 
The Helix Nebula or "Eye of God"

 

Visit our website:  www.EvolveChesapeake.com


Join us in Sacred Gathering this Sunday.