Originally Blessed!
 

December 5, 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
December 7th Sacred Gathering
From the Pastor's Keyboard
Photos of Evolve's 1st Sacred Gathering at UCCA
Quotes from the Dalai Lama
Weekly Food & Goods Collection
World AIDS Day Observance
"We are here to dance..."
December Covenant Dates
Creation Spirituality Communities
Support our Ministries
Visit our Website
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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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
Negativa
Via Negativa 


December 7, 2014
at 6:00 PM 
   
Second 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: open
Greeter/Usher: Rick Dove and Tom Good
Reader/Communion Assistant: Suzie Robertson
Offering Invitation: Suzie Robertson
Community Hour: Potluck Supper, Everyone is Invited!

We continue our progressive spiritual journey!  
 
From the Pastor's Keyboard
The Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt
 
Our new adventure with UCCA has begun! We have begun with great welcome and enthusiasm and the first protester at UCCA!  We have held our first Evolve Committee meeting and begun the work of growing our ministry.  I am very thankful for the Committee members who have agreed to continue their work as leaders in Evolve -- Suzie Robertson, our Moderator; Beth Lanier, Secretary; Sylvia Oliva, Financial Secretary; Tim Mortimore, Treasurer; and Dave Miller. We are slowly finding our way in our new home and new structure.  It will take a while until we feel totally comfortable both in our new roles and space.

I had forgotten how comfortable I had become at the Annapolis Friends Meeting House.  We knew how to do everything there.  Now we are learning about the new building and how to create sacred space for our Gatherings.  

Each Sunday as we continue through Advent we will touch on each of the Four Paths of Creation Spirituality.   This Sunday we touch on the Via Negativa:  the Path of darkness, letting go, and emptying.  "Comfort, ye my people," cries the prophet Isaiah.  I would place this passage among the greatest of the writings which call for compassionate care.  

Our world needs compassionate care.  Creation needs compassionate care.  You and I need compassionate care.

"Been traveling for days .. home is where the heart is."  Come experience the compassion of the Divine in our Sacred Gathering this Sunday evening at 6 PM.

  

  

In deep gratitude and peace, Wayne

PS:  If you cannot make the Sunday evening Gathering, join me as I will be leading worship at UCCA at 10:30 AM!

Photographs of Evolve's 1st Sacred Gathering  
in UCCA on November 30, 2014
-  THANKS TO UCCA'S FACEBOOK PAGE  -
Rev. Wayne Schwandt and Pastor Ryan Sirmons
welcome everyone. 
UCCA and Evolve covenant to minister together in mutual support, with perhaps different, but compatible and complimentary traditions.
Evolve members express a statement of our faith.

Signing of Membership Certificates
John, Tom, Suzie and Rick display their UCCA membership certificates.
Chuck Riley looking with interest at the bulletin board made by Anne Eastman and her daughter to welcome Evolve to UCCA.
Quotes from the Dalai Lama

"The desperate state of our world calls us to action.  Each of us has a responsibility to try to help at the deeper level of our common humanity.".....  "If with a warm heart and patience we can consider the views of others, and exchange ideas in calm discussion, we will find points of agreement.  It is our responsibility - out of love and compassion for humankind - to seek harmony among nations, ideologies, cultures, ethnic groups, and economic and political systems.  When we truly recognize the oneness of all humankind, our motivation to find peace will grow stronger.  In the deepest sense we are really sisters and brothers, so we must share one another's suffering.  Mutual respect, trust, and concern for one another's welfare are our best hope for lasting world peace."

"If you see yourself in others, then whom can you harm?" 
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.  
Courtesy Photo, HANDOUT/Nov. 22, 2014
WORLD AIDS DAY ANNUAL OBSERVANCE

"Living Hope," an HIV workshop for youth ages 11 to 18 was held on November 22 in Glen Burnie. One of the things they did was to paint a mural, shown at left, which was designed by Sheldon Walker, Jr. This was part of Anne Arundel County's observance of World AIDS Day.  The finished product, shown below, was presented during a wonderful program at Fresh Start Church on December 1 and will travel around to area faith groups, to promote awareness and outreach.  
Photo by Erine Sedicum

We are here to dance
and live wide-broken open
with the uproarious outrageousness
of being human for just a little while.
And rest on our laurels
And forget at times, too,
Of course.
Because even Roman candles must go
Dark in between.
But as often as possible,
We are here to remember
The glory of how we are crafted
In infinite complexity.
And love hard
Laugh long
With occasional bursts of brilliance
Right in the middle of taking out the trash.

From Jacob Nordby
snowflakes2.jpg
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)  
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 

"Expecting change brings stability."
                                                                                                   Ellen Langer
Fundraising for Ministry 

 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 December 5th, Evolve Chesapeake has earned $1,706.17 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 beautiful sunrise photos at the bottom of the 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.

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. 

Shine on us, O God of justice; Guide our path through gloom of night.  
Bear within us Wisdom's glory; Come to us, O Christ the Light!


JOIN US FOR SACRED GATHERING ON SUNDAYS,
6 PM AT THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST OF ANNAPOLIS

Visit our website:  www.EvolveChesapeake.com