February 1, 2015

6:00 p.m.

Sacred Gathering

imagination,

co-creativity, play, seed planting, cosmogenesis,

on the Path of Creativity

art as meditation, discipline, birthing, possibility, aesthetic

United Church of Christ of Annapolis
8 Carvel Circle
Edgewater, Maryland 21037

Reflection by the Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt

Gathering Leaders:

Set-up/Put away: Dave Miller

Greeter/Usher: Tom Good and Rick Dove
Reader/Communion Assistant: Dave Miller
Offering Invitation: Dave Miller
Community Hour: Potluck Dinner, Everyone Welcome!

We continue our progressive spiritual journey!

From the Minister's Keyboard
The Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt

This coming Sunday, barring interruption of life by a snow storm, we will celebrate the ministry Beth Lanier has offered our community since her arrival with us at Oakland United Methodist Church in 2000. Beth has tendered her resignation from Evolve Chesapeake's Board and from the Evolve Committee at UCCA, effective January 21. She has given us a two-week notice of her intent to resign as Music Director, with February 1 being her final Sunday.

She has been a part of our community through its many changes for nearly 15 years. She has faithfully served on the Board of our community during our time of affiliation with MCC, as an independent progressive church, and has been a part of our becoming a part of the United Church of Christ. She has served as Secretary of the Board for much of her time. Her wisdom and writing skills will be sorely missed.

Of equal importance has been Beth's service to us as Music Director. For many years she has been a delight to work with on celebration design and music selection and leadership at our Sacred Gatherings. Our personal rapport as Pastor and Music Director has been a gift which has allowed me to be spontaneously creative during our Gatherings, and I felt that she always "had my back" to support my celebration leadership.

I am sorry to see her go, but life brings changes. I pray for her that what emerges in her ministry in the future will help her Spirit soar with the joy of Celebration of the Divine. Her music has been an inspiration to many and I'm sure that will continue to be the case.

To quote the Aramaic Lord's Prayer, from Neil Douglass-Klotz, Prayers of the Cosmos8

From you is born all ruling will,

The power and the life to do so,

The song that beautifies all,

From age to age it renews.

May the Divine song that beautifies all remain your Companion and Guide and may you be a channel of that beauty in all that you do.

Peace, Wayne

Inclement Weather Policy

First and foremost in our Inclement Weather Policy is the affirmation that each individual makes up her own mind about how to be safe given whatever weather event is going on.

That being said, Rev. Wayne will, in consultation with church committee members, make a decision concerning our Sacred Gathering. All effort is made to decide before noon on Sunday. We must also factor in whether UCCA's facility is accessible.

IN ANY EVENT, an email will be sent to all Companions once a decision to cancel our Gathering is made. A "read" response is usually requested and follow-up phone calls are made to those who do not indicate they have read the notice. Everyone is, of course, welcome to phone or email Rev. Wayne or any Committee member, and share their opinion based on the status of conditions where they live.

Please note

Evolve is closing the post office box so please

update your records to show our address as:

8 Carvel Circle, Edgewater, MD 21037

* * * GET YOUR FREE COUPON HERE * * *

Newcomers to our Sacred Gatherings, this coupon is for you! It entitles you to a fresh loaf of delicious home- baked bread, usually with raisins and honey, made by our Minister. Just cut out this coupon, place it in the offering plate next Sunday, and at the close of our Sacred Gathering you will receive the loaf along with our welcome.

FROM CCAN (Chesapeake Climate Action Network):

Lobby Night and Rally in Annapolis

February 23rd

Move Maryland Forward with Clean Energy

Join us in Annapolis on February 23rd to tell Maryland lawmakers: DOUBLE wind and solar now. Pass the Clean Energy Advancement Act! We'll make this message heard loud and clear: "Clean energy, not fracking!" "Clean energy, NOT toxic smokestacks!" "Clean energy, NOT Cove Point!"

Doubling the amount of energy we get from clean, renewable sources--to 40% by 2025--is the biggest single way we can make sure more solar panels and wind turbines come to our state, not toxic fracking wells, smokestacks, and pipelines.

Weekly Food/Goods Collection

The need for food is urgent at this time. Please bring a donation with you this Sunday to put by our Community Table and it will be delivered to the Food Bank.

UCCA is collecting new gloves and underwear for homeless people cared for by Larry Griffin of We Care And Friends. Bring them with you on a Sunday during the next few weeks.

Lenten Study Group with UCCA and Asbury United Methodist Church will read and discuss The New Jim Crow.

This Lenten Season, beginning February 16, Asbury United Methodist Church has invited UCC Annapolis to read and then discuss with them The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. It is an in-depth study of the sources and causes of racism in our

society, with a particular focus on mass incarceration of African Americans. Two groups will be forming to meet on a Tuesday

or Wednesday or Sunday during the day or evening, and we are invited to state our preference.

Click here for more information or to register for the group. Registrations need to be in by February 15.

GREATER ANNAPOLIS INTERFAITH NETWORK (GAIN) MEETING ON:

RETURNING CITIZENS

Re-entering the Community After Incarceration and

Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform Legislative Update

Thursday, February 12, 2015 - 7:00 PM

St. John Neumann Church, Community Room

620 Bay Ridge Rd., Annapolis, MD 21401

Come and hear about the personal experience of a number of "returning citizens" when they re-enter the community after incarceration. Members of the Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform (MAJR) will talk about how proposed legislation would meet the need of these people and they will give a general update of MAJR's work.

Dinner First:

Dinner will be available for those who wish at 6:00 PM at the Annapolis Friends Meeting on Dubois Road. Chefs trained by the BEST Program of the Light House Shelter will prepare a delicious dinner. Cost is $18. Send a check to Pat Schenck, 604 Greenbriar Lane, Annapolis, MD 21401 by Feb. 1st.

Contact Liz at 410-267-9009 or at liz2vh@comcast.net for more information.

Creation Spirituality Communities

is a network of communities ranging from intentional groups to alternative churches, which are grounded in the tenants of Creation Spirituality and revere the sacredness of all creation. Through study, ritual, celebration and action, these communities support justice, compassion, transformation 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.

Our online community, Chesapeake Creation Spirituality Community, is waiting for you to join. Click on: http://originalblessing.ning.com.

From Erine

Photo by Erine Sedicum

What makes us...us community,

is always having room for more,

just like the snow as it coats the
ground.

February Covenant Dates

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Covenant Dates

Feb. 3 Karl D. Walker Birthday (d. 2008)

Feb. 8 Shane Matthew Riley Birthday (2005)

Feb. 15 Wayne E. Schwandt Ordination (2007)

Feb. 17 Regina Rawlings Birthday

Fundraising for Evolve's Ministry

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 can be easy and free. Click here for more information about iGive. As of January 29, we have earned $1,736.13 through iGive.

Photo by Rick Dove

CHECK OUT THE BOOKS AND PHOTO CARDS.

On our Welcome Table in Caton Hall 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. See his Junco photo at the bottom.

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.

Many thanks to all who are reading Originally Blessed!! and all who send contributions that liven it up! Send your poems, articles, news, photographs, announcements, etc. to: EvolveSylvia@gmail.com by Thursday night. Your ideas on how we can improve our newsletter are also very welcome.

Junco waiting for the snow. Photo by Rick Dove

Our Facebook Page

Visit our website: www.EvolveChesapeake.com