Originally Blessed!
 

December 12, 2014    
eNewsletter from 
EVOLVE,

the Creation Spirituality ministry of 
The United Church of Christ of Annapolis 
 


   Welcome to Creation Spirituality,   
a "Christianity beyond Convention!"

IN THIS ISSUE
Christmas Blessings from UCC
December 14th Sacred Gathering with Evolve
From the Evolve Minister's Keyboard
Evolve's Sacred Gathering on Christmas Eve
Weekly Food & Goods Collection
UCCA "Third Thursday" Community Meal
"Nothing that is worth doing..." from Reinhold Niebuhr
Creation Spirituality Communities
December Covenant Dates
Support Evolve's 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:

   

 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
8 Carvel Circle
Edgewater, MD 21037
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Christmas Blessings from the United Church of Christ
 Christmas Blessings from the United Church of Christ
Creativa
Via Creativa

December 14, 2014
at 6:00 PM 
 
 
Third Sunday in Advent
   
 
"COMING OF THE DIVINE: 
Divine Feminine Enters"

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: Sylvia Oliva
Greeter/Usher: Chuck Riley
Reader/Communion Assistant: Dave Miller
Offering Invitation: Sylvia Oliva
Community Hour Hostess: Beth Lanier

We continue our progressive spiritual journey!  
 
From the Evolve Minister's Keyboard
The Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt
 
We continue our journey through the Four Paths of Creation Spirituality.   This Sunday we touch on the Via Creativa:  the Path of imagination, birthing, cosmogenesis, play, and co-creativity.  We celebrate the Divine Feminine in the story of Mary's faithfulness to carrying and birthing Jesus into the world.  We light the pink candle of the Advent Wreath to celebrate that gift to the world.  

My heart is broken at the violence in our world. Even while protesting police brutality and injustice, we see more violence on the part of the protesters.  We are called to stand against the violence brought on by easy access to guns as we remember the Second Anniversary of the killings in Sandy Hook, CT.  We must call our judicial system into greater acts of justice in coming to grips with the deaths of unarmed African American men, women and children.  We must stand for the middle class in the midst of increasing legislation which favors the interests of the rich and corporations over the needs of human beings: children, youth, elderly and all persons in need.  We are called to champion the needs of all beings on this planet, whose very existence is threatened by what human beings are doing to our planet, which provides the means for the survival of all life.

While we await the rebirth of love in this world, let us make the work of our hands, feet, hearts and minds, the work of love.  We cannot wait for others to do the work -- it is ours to do in this season and always.  

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

Peace, Wayne

red-candle-header.jpg
Evolve's Christmas Eve Gathering
will be at 9:30 PM
on Wednesday, December 24th
All are Welcome!
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.  
"3rd Thursday" Community Meal to Benefit the Light House Shelter

December 18, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
at the United Church of Christ, Caton Hall
  8 Carvel Circle, Edgewater, MD

Recommended Donations: $10/adult, $4/16 & under
RSVP:office@uccannapolis.org or (410) 266-8596 x 200
                                       Project Happiness Photo




Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime;
therefore, we must be saved by hope.

Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history;
therefore, we must be saved by faith.

Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone;
therefore we are saved by love.

- Reinhold Niebuhr
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 
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)
   

The future always holds more possibilities
than we can ever dream.

                                                                                                     Lauri Perman
Fundraising for Evolve's 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! 
 
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 11th, Evolve Chesapeake has earned $1,708.58 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 his beautiful holly photo 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 very welcome. 
 
Photo by Rick Dove   

 

Visit our website: www.EvolveChesapeake.com