Originally Blessed!
 

November 28, 2014    
eNewsletter from EVOLVE,
a Ministry of the United Church of Christ of Annapolis
 
 
   Welcome to Creation Spirituality,   
a "Christianity beyond Convention!"
IN THIS ISSUE
November 30 Sacred Gathering
From the Pastor's Keyboard
A Celebration of Scott Bowling's Life
World AIDS Day December 1st
From Erine, a Reflection on Death
Weekly Food & Goods Collection
"For a New Beginning" by John O'Donohue
December Covenant Dates
Support our Ministries
Creation Spirituality Communities
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Chuck Riley
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Chesapeake from every commission received through our community!
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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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November 30, 2014
at 6:00 PM 
 
Evolve's First Sunday at UCCA and  
First Sunday in Advent
 
Reflection by The Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt
 
United Church of Christ of Annapolis
8 Carvel Circle,
Edgewater, Maryland, 21037

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

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

"If the only prayer you ever say is 'thank you' it will be enough." 

-- Meister Eckhart

  

As we take a day with family and friends to reflect on the blessings of our lives, let us not forget the Original Blessing which is the fact we are alive!  We know that we are.  Gratitude is fundamental to Creation Spirituality.  Our spiritual life begins in awe and wonder and moves through all the myriad of experiences with the Divine that we encounter on our journey. 

  

As we all know, our lives are not always filled with experiences which lead easily to gratitude, but we know that the Divine is in all our life.  The struggle as human beings is to embrace all that life sends our way, to search for the Presence in the midst of that experience.

  

In this time of great transition for our community, I give thanks for each of you who have pledged their love and support to the journey of Evolve Chesapeake.  Sometimes I am so aware of being a stranger in a strange land.  But it is a land for which I can give thanks.  And it is an experience for which I am grateful.

  

I hope to see each of you at our first service as a Creation Spirituality ministry of the United Church of Christ of Annapolis.  As we begin this new chapter of our life together, let us rejoice in the Spirit who has called us!  See you at 6 PM on Sunday evening at 8 Carvel Circle, Edgewater, MD.  (For a map and directions, go to http://evolvechesapeake.com/location.html)

  

We will celebrate our new beginning and Rev. Ryan Sirmons will be with us to receive those into membership of UCCA who have chosen to do so.  All of this as we enter into Advent, a time of preparation for the rebirth of Christ in our lives and world.

  

In deep gratitude and peace, Wayne

Celebration of Michael Scott Bowling
by Dave Miller, his husband 

Michael Scott Bowling, our Companion
Michael Scott Bowling, 43,
passed peacefully from this life on Wednesday, November
19, 2014, after a long struggle with Crohn's Disease and cancer, surrounded by family and friends.

Scott squeezed the utmost  

out of life despite life-long  

health challenges. He was

many things: a son, a brother, an uncle, a husband, an activist, a lawyer, a mortgage banker, a candidate, and a warm and loving friend to many. His warmth, optimism, and courage were remarkable.

 

In addition to his husband, Scott is survived by: his parents; Anna Maria and Carl Angolia; his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Alicia Angolia and their daughters Abigail and Addison; his father, John Bowling; and many more in-laws and nieces and nephews on the Miller side of the family. He shared a particularly close relationship with his Aunt Rose and Uncle Tony Biancaniello. He is survived by many other relatives and friends.

 

A service celebrating Scott's life will be held at 11 AM, November 29, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church, 171 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis. The Family will receive guests starting at 10 AM. A luncheon will follow the service at 1 PM at Annapolis Elks Lodge, 2 Pythian Drive, Edgewater, Maryland.

 

Scott requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor be directed to Metro Maryland Ostomy Association, Inc., Equality Maryland, or Evolve Chesapeake.

 
10-10:45 - Greeting of Friends and Family
     10:45 - Song Selections led by Evolve Chesapeake
     11:00 - Service of Celebration - Rev. Dr. Wayne
                Schwandt & Rev. Kathy Baker, Officiants
      1 PM - Lunch at the Elks Club
World AIDS Day Annual Observance
Monday, December 1 at 7:00 PM
  red ribbon
      Fresh Start Church will host this year's World AIDS Day. 
      Their address is 506 Lincoln Drive in Glen Burnie, Maryland. 
      The Rev. Lawrence Smith will be the main speaker.  The
      evening will be filled with music, poetry, mime and art.

From Erine
A reflection after Scott Bowling's death, written on November 20, 2014
Erine Sedicum

              
                                             Death
                  There is a silence
                  that quiets the soul
                  of all its madness
                  When letting go
                  means only in body...
                  There are no calls,
no letters, no unexpected-
just the moments
that fade into thoughts.
Many times I still-
Still hear, read,
and have unexpected
but they happen
in my heart
so as I continue
My day-to-day....
You are a silence

that quiets my soul.

 

Weekly Food/Goods Collection 
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. Bring your donation to our Community Table on Sunday and it will be delivered to the Food Bank.
NOTE:  At this time the greatest need is for food.  

 

For a New Beginning                                        

photo by Rick Dove
 

 

By John O'Donohue

(1956 - 2008)

 

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,

Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,

Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,

Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,

A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning

That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,

For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

 

December Covenant Dates
         
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Covenant Dates 
Dec.  11  Matthew Briggs Birthday
Dec.  13  Joshua Braelon Lekberg Birthday (2010)
Dec.  13  Lauren and Tony Slead Wedding (2003) 
Dec.  17  Roshi Chatlani Birthday  
Dec.  29  In Honor of Barry H. Cornwall (2002)
Dec.  31  Cynthia Brister Death (2004) 
Dec.  31  Meta Ann Snyder Birthday (d. 1998)

Help Support Evolve's Ministries      

 Holiday Shopping can Benefit Evolve  

Now is the moment for maximum help for Evolve Chesapeake.  That's why  iGive is donating Evolve Chesapeake an extra $5 for every new member that tries the iGive Button, even if they don't end up shopping.  Here's the special link you must use: http://iGive.com/welcome/warmwelcome.cfm?c=37903&m=840133.
Remember, iGive is totally free! 

The optional iGive Button makes it really, really simple.

It automatically makes sure that a portion of your purchases at over 1,500 stores means a free donation to the cause of your choice.  Shopping = Giving year 'round.  The Button makes sure every purchase counts, even if you forget.  Use an iPad or Android device?  It's very easy to help - just visit iGive.com and start your shopping there - or download the app.

Click here for more information about iGive. 

 
As of November 28, Evolve Chesapeake has earned $1,698.26 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.  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 

Do not go where the path may lead, 
go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
                                                                                       
                                                                                         Ralph Waldo Emerson 
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. to: EvolveSylvia@gmail.com by Thursday
night.  Your ideas on how we can improve Originally Blessed!! are also always very welcome. 
Sacred the prayer that asks for nothing
and is anchored in gratitude for each and every breath.
JOIN US IN SACRED GATHERING 6 PM THIS SUNDAY
AT UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST OF ANNAPOLIS

Visit our website:  www.EvolveChesapeake.com