Originally Blessed!
an original blessing 
community

  October 17, 2014    
  eNewsletter from
  EVOLVEChesapeake

 

Chesapeake Creation Spirituality Community

  

Christianity Beyond Convention
IN THIS ISSUE
Fall Community Meeting Oct. 19
October 19th Sacred Gathering
From the Pastor's Keyboard
Weekly Food & Goods Collection
October Covenant Dates
Chant Circle Oct. 26
Creation Spirituality Communities
Support our Ministries
From Erine
iGive $1K Contest
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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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
autumn-winding-road.jpg EVOLVE CHESAPEAKE'S
FALL COMMUNITY MEETING
POSTPONED

October 19, 2014
 
Fifth Sunday on the Path of Emptying

Reflection by The Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt
at 
Annapolis Friends Meeting House
351 Dubois Road, Annapolis

Gathering Leaders:
Set-up/Put away: open
Greeter/Usher: Dave Miller
Reader/Communion Assistant: John Petrosillo
Offering Invitation: Scott Bowling
Community Hour Hosts: Scott Bowling & Dave Miller

We continue our progressive spiritual journey! 
 
From the Pastor's Keyboard
The Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt
 
What an exciting time at Evolve Chesapeake!
 
We are nearing the end of negotiations about the Agreement of Mutual Covenant which, if approved by both communities, will result in our merger with the United Church of Christ of Annapolis.  I would have never dreamed of this opportunity even presenting itself, let alone moving down the road towards merger.  

In the past, after leaving MCC, we were clear that we wished to remain independent of affiliation with a mainstream denomination.  But we have been discovered by a nearby church which is welcoming, open and affirming of LGBTQ people, theologically open to discussion and debate, and social justice minded.  Seventeen years ago I approached this church about renting space for our church in formation. There was no room available at that time for us on a weekly basis, but we had our first potluck supper and hymn sing there and in 1999 I officiated at the first same sex holy union in that Sanctuary. 

We will bring our grounding in Creation Spirituality, our Sacred Gathering, our progressive theology, our Chant Circle, Open Arms, and commitment to justice to that church community.  We have been warmly welcomed by the members of UCCA at worship, work projects, and Third Thursday Community Dinners.

Rev. Ryan Sirmons and members of UCCA shared about their church during a forum at Evolve.  Several of our members and I shared in a forum last Sunday at UCCA.  I have led worship at UCCA and Ryan has preached at Evolve.  UCCA members have attended our Sacred Gatherings.  In each case, we have felt very much at home with each other. 

With this merger there will be some changes.  I will have an office where I can meet with people without being in a restaurant (thank you!).  We will have Sanctuary space with less restrictions on what we can and cannot do.  We will have far more opportunity for impacting the world with our message. We will gain many new church friends and colleagues.  

We hope to have our Agreement finalized within the next week so both congregations can vote on its acceptance.  Postponing our community meeting this Sunday is solely to buy some time for discussion and negotiations.  We are very far from any deal breakers in our conversations.  Ryan and I, in typical pastoral style, underestimated the amount of time required to come to agreement in writing.  The Spirit is at work in this merger I believe.  I have felt moved on many levels as we have done this work together.  The Board will announce the date of the community meeting as soon as we are able to this week.  Stay tuned for exciting times ahead!

Peace, Wayne
WEEKLY FOOD/GOODS COLLECTION
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.  (You can't purchase non-edibles with food stamps.)    
October Covenant Dates         
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Covenant Dates       
Oct.   1  Meta Ann Snyder Death (1998)
Oct.   7  Suzanne B. Hickmon Death (2000)
Oct. 10  Suzanne B. Hickmon Birthday (d. 2000)
Oct. 10  Sylvia Oliva Birthday
Oct. 15  Velma Blitch Birthday (d. 1999)
Oct. 18  Jack Spencer Birthday
Oct. 19  Wayne E. Schwandt Birthday
Oct. 21  Chuck Riley Birthday
Oct. 23  Tim Mortimore & John Petrosillo Wedding (2010)
Oct. 23  Chuck Riley & Wayne E. Schwandt CA Wedding ('08)
Oct. 29  Dennis L. Myers Birthday (d. 2011)
Oct. 29  Patrick Edward Price Birthday (2007)
Oct. 29  Daniel Teitjen Schellhorn Birthday (d. 2008)

we are a circle within a circle with no beginning and never-ending

Chanting is a powerful practice of  embodiment!!

Evolve
Chesapeake's
chant circle will meet
October 26 at 4:00 PM
Come join us!
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 
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 Oct. 16th Evolve Chesapeake has earned $1,655.23 through iGive!
         
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 his photos at bottom of this newsletter.  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.   
From Erine
"Fall-day-cation"  Just Beautiful!

What is a fall-day-cation? It is having time with people outside the normal vacation time.  I have enjoyed my time with them but my heart was with Evolve.  It was your love that let me let people into my life.  Thank you and I love getting love from all of you.  See you all soon... 

Footnote: Think about that next time you take a day off...
iGive's October $1K Contest
and $5 New Member Bonuses
= BIGGER DONATIONS for EVOLVE Chesapeake

 

Each person who joins iGive in October for the first time will obtain a $5 donation for Evolve Chesapeake if they designate Evolve Chesapeake as their cause.  No purchase necessary; they just need to try the iGive Button some time up till 1/15/15.

The person who gets the most new members to join iGive in October, designating Evolve Chesapeake as their cause and trying the Button by 1/15/15, will earn Evolve $1,000.  Second and third place winners will receive $500 prizes for Evolve.

Share your special Tell A Friend link to get credit for the contest (it's the only way to get credit).  Go get the special link from: http://www.iGive.com/html/tellafriend.cfm .  You can also spread your iGive link via Twitter, email, blogs, bulletin boards, and handouts all work.

 

If you have any questions, contact http://support.iGive.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. 
Tufted Titmouse - Photo by Rick Dove

 

Visit our website:  www.EvolveChesapeake.com  

 


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