Originally Blessed! 


                      March 6, 2015
                      eNewsletter from EVOLVE,

            
     the Creation Spirituality Ministry of
 The United Church of Christ of Annapolis
Christianity Beyond Convention
IN THIS ISSUE
Daylight Savings Time
Sacred Gathering the 8th of March
A Prayer for the World
Weekly Food & Goods Collection
View "Journey of the Universe"
Chant Circle
March Covenant Dates
Book Groups reading "The New Jim Crow"
"Third Thursday" Dinner
From Erine
Clean Energy for Maryland
Support our Ministries
Creation Spirituality Communities
Visit our Facebook Page & Website
Evolve P.O. Box Closed
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
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS
THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 8. 
TURN YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR.  

Sacred Gathering
  March 8, 2015 at 6 p.m.
12th Sunday on the Path of Creativity

art as meditation...
 discipline... birthing... possibility... aesthetic... ... play...cosmogenesis...
 seed planting...co-creativity...
imagination...
    
 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: Rick Stewart
Greeter/Usher: Dave Miller
Reader/Communion Assistant: Sylvia Oliva 
Community Meal (Potluck):  Everyone Welcome!


A Prayer for the World

Let the rain come and wash away
the ancient grudges, the bitter hatreds
held and nurtured over generations.
Let the rain wash away the memory
of the hurt, the neglect.
Then let the sun come out and
fill the sky with rainbows.
Let the warmth of the Sun heal us
wherever we are broken.
Let it burn away the fog so that
we can see beyond labels,
beyond accents, gender, or skin color.
Let the warmth and brightness
of the Sun melt our selfishness.
So that we can share the joys and
feel the sorrows of our neighbors.
And let the light of the Sun
be so strong that we will see all
people as our neighbors.
Let the Earth, nourished by rain,
bring forth flowers
to surround us with beauty.
And let the mountains teach our hearts
to reach upward to heaven. 

                             - Rabbi Harold S. Kushner
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.

 GAIN PROGRAM  

(Greater Annapolis Interfaith Network)

 

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015, 7:00 PM

 St. John Neumann Church, Community room

620 N. Bestgate Road, Annapolis MD 21403

 

Journey of the Universe

 

The Journey of the Universe, an award-winning PBS film, guides us through a new epic story - the ways our stars, planets and living organisms emerged within the vast drama of the universe.  It is the beautiful story of US and our CHILDREN and - CHILDREN'S CHILDREN; something no previous generation knew. This compelling film takes us from the origins of life to our present ecological and social challenges.  It is now being shown world-wide.

 

Evolutionary philosopher Brian Swimme explores
cosmic and Earth evolution (through cosmology, astronomy, geology, biology, history and ecology) - as a profound process of creativity, connection and interdependence.  The producers use the cutting edge of science to interweave the traditional role of creation stories - to explore "where we came from." It is a story of the past that speaks to our future.

 

Facilitated by Mardy Burgess, Ph.D. and Kathy Carroll, M. Ed, both authors of education curriculum.

 

Mardy says, "When I first discovered some  

parts of this story 40 years ago, I experienced  

an amazing 'Aha'- If I have all this story of life within me, I can do anything." I wanted to put it into education as a framework for learning.

 

Information: Liz liz2vh@comcast.net, mardypb@comcast.net   NOTE:  Viewing is free. 

  FREE COUPON HERE   
Newcomers to our Sacred Gatherings, this coupon is for you!  It entitles you to a fresh loaf of home-baked bread, usually with raisins and honey, made by our Minister, the Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt.  Just clip this coupon, place it in the offering basket on Sunday, and at the close of our Sacred Gathering you will receive along our welcome, this delicious bread.  
"We are a circle within a circle, with no beginning and never-ending..."
Chant Circle Sunday, March 15 from 4-5:30 PM in Caton Hall
All are Welcome!
March Covenant Dates
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Covenant Dates 
March     1    Tom Good Birthday 
March     5    Jean M. Dove Birthday (d. 2012) 
March     6    Gail Curry Birthday 
March   12    Delores M. Van Steenburg Birthday (d. 2001) 
March   22    Jordan Michelle Riley Birthday (2003) 
March   24    Kim Hinken Birthday 
March   27    Joshua Braelon Lekberg Baptism (2011) 

Book Groups reading The New Jim Crow

Two  groups are meeting weekly in the church office to discuss The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander.  One group meets on Sunday at 1:00 PM, and the other on Tuesday at 6:30 PM. This book is an expertly written in-depth study of the histori- cal, documented causes of racism in our society, leading to it's tragic consequences of the mass incarceration of African Americans.  A chapter a week is read in preparation for the meeting.  Our final discussion will be together with Asbury United Methodist Church.  See the video below for Michelle Alexander's summary of her book.
  The future of race in America: Michelle Alexander at TEDxColumbus
     Contact UCCA by phone at 410-266-8596
     or by email:  office@uccannapolis.org
     if you'd like to join one of the groups.  It 
     is not too late to join!
"Third Thursday" Community Dinner March 19, 6:30 to 8:30 PM  
       Affordable Fine Dining with Friends
                Please RSVP by email to office@UCCAnnapolis.org 
      or phone 410-266-8596, ext. 200. 
                                                                                             
  From Erine
Erine Sedicum
Why do I need Evolve?
1.  My safe place to reflect.
2.  A physical escape.
3.  People to rattle my cage.
4.  Letting go of my raw energy.
5.  Giving myself permission to trust.
6.  Feeling human.
7.  Giving myself some credit.

Note only #2 is truly physical...

From Interfaith Power and Light
Urging our Maryland Legislature to commit to 40% clean energy by 2025

Clergy & Faith Leaders support
clean energy
Last week, we joyfully announced that over 230 clergy and faith leaders across the state of Maryland stood in support of expanding the state's renewable energy standard through the Maryland Clean Energy Advancement Act. An incredible thanks to all the clergy and lay leaders who made this possible! Then, we sat together during the Senate Finance Committee hearing of the bill to make sure our representatives know that our faith communities call them to do right on climate for the sake of our neighbors in Maryland, across the US, and around the world.   
 
Rev. Ryan Sirmons (R. on above photo) and Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt were among those 230+ who signed a letter of support for 40% clean energy.
 
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.il

As of March 5th we have earned $1,746.25 through iGive.
         
 Rick Dove Photo
  
CHECK OUT THE BOOKS, PHOTO CARDS AND COASTERS  
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.  Rick is also selling his nature photos on beautifully crafted tile coasters for $5 each.     
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 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:  http://originalblessing.ning.com.
Many thanks to all who read Originally Blessed!! and all who send contributions that liven it up. Please send your articles, poems, news, photos, announcements, petitions, pictures, cartoons, and whatever else you might like to see in our newsletter to EvolveSylvia@gmail.com by Thursday night.
  Mourning Dove "Flying Through a Winter Wonderland"
Photo by Rick Dove

Visit our website:  www.EvolveChesapeake.com 

Evolve has closed the post office box, so please update your records
to show our address as:  8 Carvel Circle, Edgewater, MD 21037