On Tuesday morning I spoke with a group of Transgender, Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian people from Russia! I was invited by the Anne Arundel County Health Department to participate in this meeting about HIV/AIDS and the LGBT community. I was invited as the facilitator of the Gay & Bisexual Support Group but also because I am a pastor. Speaking through a translator our words inspired each other and our hearts met. "You are our kind of pastor!" the group said at one point! I will share more about this experience and how it helped me touch my core of commitment to the work we do in the world together.

I was also fortunate this week to participate in the Third Conversation about Race and Racism with Annapolis area clergy. Our conversation was very poignant given the events in Baltimore this week. I met with a wide diversity of pastoral leaders in Annapolis as we wrestled together with the artifacts of white privilege. It is a difficult but very important topic to be addressed in our communities. I was thankful to have worked on World AIDS Day activities with many of the participants. A colleague and I were able to bring to the conversation concern also about heterosexual privilege in our society and the struggles lesbian and gay people face in the ministry.

We live in exciting and challenging times as we seek to bring the Good News of a Loving Creator to the world. Our vision of a Loving Creator who calls forth justice, peace and joy is one the world needs to hear. The ways in which this message is celebrated is as different as the communities represented by the clergy who participated in this discussion, but we are called to be unified in overcoming the systemic injustice which contributes to frustration, violence, discrimination and death.

Peace, Wayne

Weekly Food/Goods Collection at EVOLVE

Please bring an item of food or laundry

detergent, bath soap, toothpaste, etc. whenever you can. Put it near our Community Table and Suzie will take it to the food bank. The needs are great.

May Covenant Dates

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Covenant Dates

May 4 Adri Eathorne and Kim Hinken Wedding (2013)

May 5 Adri Eathorne and Kim Hinken Holy Union (2007)

May 6 Linda J. Kahl Death (1998)

May 9 Robert Brian Eathorne Birthday (d. 2013)

May 11 Sean Patrick Riley Birthday (2003)

May 11 Cynthia Brister Birthday (d. 2004)

May 14 Rick Dove and Tom Good Wedding (2011)

Congregational Vitality Event

St. John's United Church of Christ
1000 S. Rolling Rd, Catonsville, MD (map)

Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This meeting is based on the book, "Real Good Church: How Our Church Came Back from the Dead and Yours Can Too," by the Rev. Molly Baskete, Pastor of First Church, Somerville, MA, who will be the presenter.

Registration is $15 and includes lunch.
Please register here.

From Erine

Erine Sedicum

All lives matter. It would be easier to just say Black lives matter, but to me it's more about the citizens vs the law and its enforcement. There are stories beyond Baltimore. We need to focus on solutions, not the battles. When I state that we need open discussion, I'm given reasons why it's impossible. I want to know how to make it possible, and going into the streets being angry isn't a help.

First, the people that close their doors and pretend it's not happening need to accept it is. History tells us silence does more harm than good. If anyone remembers WWII or life before. . . they can tell you the outcome. Good people need to stand up and accept what is happening.

Second, the people in the situation need to not react but think about what actions mean. Civil rights workers both black and white were trained for what was going to happen. They understood what was what. I can only imagine what the community is feeling, but I'm angry too.

Third, there needs to be a safe place where both sides can have open discussion. If they disagree then they disagree. We all disagree with people, but some of the people we disagree with we can respect their opinion and perhaps we can find common ground. It's all about a solution.

Footnote:

Since the original writing, the situation in Baltimore exploded. It is my hope that open discussion will still be possible, but good people need to stand up like the mother who stopped her son. I say "Amen" and not fear differences.

M A R K Y O U R C A L E N D A R

Evolve Chesapeake Spring Congregational Meeting

Sunday, May 31, 2015 in Caton Hall

4:30 to 5:30 PM

HELP KEEP FRACKING OUT OF MARYLAND

The Legislature of Maryland recently approved a bill which would ban fracking in Maryland for two years. This is the first time the Legislature has voted to block fracking, and it buys us two years of breathing room to work for a permanent ban on this dangerous and unnecessary drilling practice. Gov. Hogan's office phone is 1-855-971-2589. Please consider calling to urge him to sign the fracking moratorium bill this session. For love of our Mother Earth.

The Chartered Course

An oratorio written by James Fitzpatrick, Music Director of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, to celebrate the 300th Anniversary of Annapolis, will be performed by the Asbury UMC Sanctuary Choir and The Heritage Harbour Chorus:

Saturday, May 2 at 7 pm at Asbury United Methodist Church, 87 West Street, Annapolis
Sunday, May 3 at 3 pm at Heritage Harbour Lodge, 959 River Strand Loop, Annapolis

$15.00 - Call 410-268-9500 for more information.

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 May 1st we have earned $1,805.89 through iGive.

Photo by Rick Dove

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 beautifully crafted tile coasters with nature photographs 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.

The B.E.S.T. Third Thursday Community Dinner May 21
Enjoy fine dining with friends at a low price in Caton Hall at 6:30 pm. Proceeds benefit the Light House Shelter. RSVP to the church office (410-266-8596) or use the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in Caton Hall.

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: http://originalblessing.ning.com.

Join us for Sacred Circle Chant/Dance. All are Welcome!

Step by Step: A Worship Jam Sacred Circle Dance Tutorial from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0QS9QYu-r8

"Step by step and round and round, carry me to holy ground. Center is calling, Earth still revolving; something lost and something found."

Come join our friendly sacred circle dance / chant group in Caton Hall on Sunday, May 24th at 4 p.m. All are welcome! No experience necessary, as we are all learners. For more information call Rev. Wayne, 202-253-9828. Click on the tutorial for a little sample and to view more tutorials.

In our lives, it is through the work of spiritual practice
that we find our deep and true selves.

Through the arts of meditation and silence we cultivate a clarity of mind
and move beyond fear into compassion and community.

Fourth Principle of Creation Spirituality

Many thanks for reading Originally Blessed!! Remember to 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.

Eastern Cottontail photographed by Rick Dove.

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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