Originally Blessed!
an original blessing 
community

  November 9, 2014    
  eNewsletter from
  EVOLVEChesapeake

 

Chesapeake Creation Spirituality Community

  

Christianity Beyond Convention
IN THIS ISSUE
November 9th Fall Community Meeting
November 2nd Sacred Gathering
From the Pastor's Keyboard
"What I think about merging with UCCA" by Suzie Robertson
Intercultural Competency Workshop
November Covenant Dates
Weekly Food & Goods Collection
Rally for More Green Energy
Open Arms Recommences in January
From Erine
Support our Ministries
Creation Spirituality Communities
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Chuck Riley
Chuck Riley
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Chesapeake from every commission received through our community!
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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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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 
EVOLVE Chesapeake 
Fall Community Meeting

3:30 to 5:30 PM in the Multipurpose Room  
at Annapolis Friends Meeting House
    
To download or view documents for the meeting, click on the name below:

November 9, 2014
 
Eighth Sunday on the Path of Emptying
 
"Funding Our Way"
Reflection by The Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt
at 
Annapolis Friends Meeting House
351 Dubois Road, Annapolis

Gathering Leaders:
Set-up/Put away: Dave Miller
Greeter/Usher: Chuck Riley
Reader/Communion Assistant: Tom Good
Offering Invitation: Rick Dove
Community Hour Host: Beth Lanier

We continue our progressive spiritual journey! 
 
From the Pastor's Keyboard
The Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt
 
It is that time of the year again -- yes, stewardship campaign, pledge drive, and the ever present question:  "How will you support Evolve Chesapeake?" 

Time. Talent. Treasure. These are the primary answers and areas of concern.
 
I recently heard a radical presentation on stewardship which suggested that what we need is a new relationship with Creation.  Merely thinking that we are caretakers (stewards) of what God has brought into being is woefully inadequate to understand our relationship with Creation.  We need to cultivate a spirituality of connection.  When we approach our participation in any aspect of life from a deep, connected place within our hearts, there is a reverence for the One within the All.  Reverence is what it is about.  Holy-ness dominates our awareness.
 
Our church community has an income and expense report and a balance sheet.  But those financial reports reduce what is vital between us: our connection with the Cosmic Christ who calls us into abundant living.  In measuring our level of abundant living Jesus did not mean we should get together and compare our net worth in financial terms.
 
If our spirituality begins with reverence for life, for Creation, for all species who dwell on Earth, then our walk on the paths we find ourselves on means we are compelled to share, to enable, to celebrate, to grow our lives abundantly.  How?  In intimacy. In intensity. In immensity. 
 
We have all heard that we only use a very small portion of our brain potential -- guess what?  We also have infinite hearts of compassion which often withers on the vine of our lives.  We have within ourselves a potential for abundant living beyond our wildest dreams.  A multi-million dollar home?  Yacht? European vacations? 
 
If those are your images of abundant living, you have not been listening to Jesus or the Divine One in your midst.  We have much we would like to do to invite the estranged back onto the path of spirituality.  People need to hear the Good News of Love which exists.  We must continue using new language to point to ancient truths which celebrate Love and Life.  
 
How will YOU support that effort in 2015? 

Peace, Wayne

What I Think about Merging with UCCA
Suzie Robertson, Vice Moderator of the Evolve Chesapeake Board of Directors

"Isolation is the biggest barrier to change." This quote, attributed to lyrics performed by the punk band Chumbawamba, speaks to me concerning Evolve Chesapeake's decision on whether or not to accept the invitation of UCCA. While I don't believe we have purposely isolated ourselves, I do feel we have been traveling in our own orbit. Acceptance, to me, means that we, as a community and as individuals, adjust that orbit into one of more interaction. Under the umbrella of a larger, local, supportive spiritual community we can pursue sharing Creation Spirituality with those who are seeking a different path to the Divine. I can't describe myself as being either a glass half full or half empty type. I'm more of a "Wow! I have a glass and, look, it has something in it!" person. I am grateful and excited for the opportunity and the possibilities that have been presented to us.



AN INVITATION FROM THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF ANNAPOLIS: 

 

"Continuing the Journey Toward Wholeness"

Intercultural Competency Workshop

 November 7 (7 PM) and November 8 (9 AM)
with Phyllis Braxton, PINK Consulting, LLC
at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis

 333 Dubois Road, Annapolis, MD  21401

 

Learn the stages of Intercultural Development, cultural self-awareness, and tools to be more effective across cultural differences.  Growing and deepening our capacity for successful multicultural ministries and stronger intercultural relationships is critical to the fulfillment of our vision for Unitarian Universalism and building the beloved community.  Inter- cultural Competency is about "the differences that make a difference" in every setting - whether that be race, class, culture, gender, sexual orientation, or any other difference that might be key in our interactions.

FRIDAY, NOV. 7 from 7 PM to 9:30 PM:

--Meet and greet gathering with team building activities. Discuss expectations for the workshop; get to know the keynote speaker.

SATURDAY, NOV. 8 FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM: 

--Break down barriers and preconceived notions about diversity, and leave with a greater awareness about the differences of others.  Presentation, lecture, small group and experiential activities will be used.   

REGISTRATION:  Early Registration is $25, or $30 at the door.  Click here to register.

Contact the UUCA office if you have questions about registration or the workshop.


Light breakfast and lunch provided.

It is from deep within that all holy birth takes place, 
be it that of a mother with child  
or of any other less literal birthing we undertake.

- Matthew Fox in Original Blessing, in Path III, Theme 20 
November Covenant Dates         
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Covenant Dates 
Nov.  3 Chuck Riley & Wayne Schwandt Anniversary (1985)  
Nov.  9  Elizabeth Lanier Birthday 
Nov. 11 Yolanda Kresslein Birthday (d. 1999) 
Nov. 22 William E. Riley Death (1999) 
Nov. 26 Esther J. Hosley Birthday (d. 2006) 
 
WEEKLY FOOD/GOODS COLLECTION 
NOTE:  At this time there is a big need for food staples. 
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.   

RALLY FOR MORE GREEN ENERGY
Sponsored by The Greater Annapolis Interfaith Network (GAIN)
Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 7:00 PM
Community Room of St. John Neumann Church
620 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401

Help to increase the amount of green energy provided by the electric companies of Maryland to 40% by 2025.  Hear what these distinguished panelists have to say.
 
PANEL:    Seth Bush of the Maryland Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign

 Joelle Novey of Interfaith Power and Light

 Brooke Harper of Chesapeake Climate Action Network

 Dave Hackett of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry

 Phil Favero of the Climate Stewards of Greater Annapolis  

 

Discussion will follow panel presentations.  Refreshments will be served. 

 

Find out who you state legislators are and get help in writing them a letter to indorse this bill in the 2015 legislature.  Learn how to create a petition.

 

Contact Liz Vanden Heuvel at liz2vh@comcast.net  or by phone at 410-267-9009 for more information or directions. 

 

Please Note:  Open Arms will not meet this November and December.  It will recommence in January.
From Erine                           
null          

     Life brings you to places
     thought lost like reading
     and art... I'm glad they are
     back... Look carefully in the
     art for life's imperfection.





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 Nov. 6 Evolve Chesapeake has earned $1,664.60 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.  One of his photos is at the 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.
CSC banner
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. 
"You got something to say?  Bring it, bring it on!"
Rick Dove's photo of an Eastern Gray Squirrel and what it said to him one day.

JOIN  US  IN  SACRED  GATHERING  THIS  SUNDAY

 

Visit our website:  www.EvolveChesapeake.com