Originally Blessed! 

your September 11, 2015 eNewsletter from  
                    EVOLVE
          the Creation Spirituality Ministry of 
                            the United Church of Christ of Annapolis            

Who are we?
EVOLVE draws on the
ancient traditions of Creation Spirituality
 to nurture the individual's spiritual journey,
celebrate the Universe as the body of the Divine,
celebrate that God is in all things and all things are in God,
and work for justice and peace as the Great Work of our journey. 
We support the emergence of the prophet, artist and mystic
 in everyone.
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Sacred Gathering September 13
Evolve Chesapeake Congregational Meeting
In Praise of Fire
Honoring our Founding in 1998
Creation Spirituality Communities
September Covenant Dates
Pope Francis in Washington, DC
Open Arms Recommences
3rd Thursday Community Dinners
Ways to Support our Ministry
From Erine
Send in your Articles
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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CCCS Sphere

Join our Sacred Gatherings at 6 PM on Sundays at
8 Carvel Circle
Edgewater, MD 21037

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13TH SUNDAY ON
THE PATH OF AWE & WONDER!
Evolve's Sacred Gathering
September 13, 2015 at 6 pm
United Church of Christ of Annapolis
8 Carvel Circle, Edgewater, MD 21037
Email: Evolve@UCCAnnapolis.org
Phone:  443 485 5979
The Rev. Terry Fitzgerald  

Gathering Leaders: 
Suzie Robertson  
Set-Up/Put-Away: Tom Good & Rick Dove
Greeter:  Sylvia Oliva        Reader:  Dave Miller
Provider of Bread: Tom Good & Rick Dove
Community Hour Celebration of Evolve's 17th Anniversary
Host:  Dave Miller   All are Welcome!   
 
Continuing our progressive spiritual journey.  
EVOLVE Chesapeake
Chesapeake Creation Spirituality Community 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

2:30 pm in Caton Hall, United Church of Christ of Annapolis, 8 Carvel Circle, Edgewater, MD 21037.
All Companions are welcome; all Members are much encouraged to be present and share in the business of the Evolve Chesapeake Community. 

In Praise of Fire 
             by John O'Donohue
 
Let us praise the grace and risk of Fire.

In the beginning,
The Word was red,
And the sound was thunder,
And the wound in the unseen
Spilled forth the red weather of being.

In the name of the Fire,
The Flame
And the Light:
Praise the pure presence of fire
That burns from within
Without thought of time.

The hunger of Fire has no need
For the reliquary of the future;
It adores the eros of now,
Where the memory of the earth
In flames that lick and drink the air
Is made to release

Its long-enduring forms
In a power of ashes
Left for the wind to decipher.

As air intensifies the hunger of fire,
May the thought of death
Breathe new urgency
Into our love of life.

As fire cleanses dross,
May the flame of passion
Burn away what is false.

As short as the time
From spark to flame,
So brief may the distance be
Between heart and being.

May we discover
Beneath our fear
Embers of anger
To kindle justice.

May courage
Cause our lives to flame,
In the name of the Fire,
And the Flame
And the Light. 
 

Honoring the Founding and Kindling of the Fire of our Community  
on September 14, 1998, Seventeen Years ago
by the Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt*
                                                                                                                                   CCCS Sphere
FOURTEEN YEARS: 
A reflective article written by Pastor Wayne three years ago in light of our 14th Anniversary.  May he continue to inspire our growing and evolving as a ministry within the United Church of Christ of Annapolis.
                                 (editor's remarks) 
 
What a journey it has been!  When I, with lots of help from Chuck, started this community we were looking to provide a church alternative to GLBTS people who were disenfranchised from mainstream Christianity but who wanted a spiritual home where they could grow, celebrate, love, and learn. 
 
Over the past 14 years, we have gone through many moltings.  We have left behind much of the pomp and ceremony which I carried from my Episcopal period, we have become less a pastor-centered church and more of a spiritual community in which leadership is shared among many.  We have embarked upon creating a Creation Spirituality community, leaving our initial denomination and becoming an independent, progressive spiritual community.

While giving up some of Christianity, we have also pushed the limits of what one might usually expect from "church."  We have maintained our commitment to community service and justice making.  We have upheld our belief in giving individuals the tools to express their spiritual journey experience.  We have sought to understand the Bible by reading and talking about it.  We have embraced the teachings of Matthew Fox and Creation Spirituality.  We listen to writings from many faith traditions, breaking away from Bible-only readings at our Sacred Gatherings.  We celebrate the Divine in all things and that all things are in the Divine. 

We are at the beginning of a great conversation focused on what we shall become.  The work of the people in our community is clearly resting on the shoulders of too few.  I and many members are worn out by our time of transition.  Many of us need a break.  So that is what I am encouraging us to do.  Let's go deeper into our spiritual journeys.  Let's go to the stream which flows beneath all of Creation.  Let's help one another find and develop the well which helps us touch the Source.  We are birthing a new form of spiritual community together.  It is part of the Great Work which is unfolding. 

I hope each of our Companions will keep their voice heard, their love shared, their spiritual journey grounded in this community as we continue our molting and growth in love!  Blessed be!
Pastor Wayne Schwandt

* Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt died on May 5, 2015.
CSC Banner from ning

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.   
September Birthdays, Anniversaries, Covenant Dates

Sept.    4     Karl D. Walker Death (2008) 
Sept.   11    Marvin Roger Woods Death (2001) 
Sept.   13    Janice Creamer and Cherly Lanore Civil Union in CT (2007)
Sept.   14    Founding of our Community by the Rev. Dr. Wayne Schwandt (1998) 
Sept.   15    Laura Cooper Birthday 
Sept.   17    Rick Stewart Birthday 
Sept.   19    Dennis L. Myers Death (2011) 
Sept.   20    Justin Michael Abell Birthday (2001) 
Sept.   23    William E. Riley Birthday (d. 1999) 
Sept.   28    Glen O. Van Steenburg Death (1999)     
 
Pope Francis visits Washington, DC

On September 24, Pope Francis will be in Washington, DC, meeting with President Obama and Congress and speaking on the National Mall.  He is urging us, as we give thanks for all of creation, to be mindful of our inter-connectedness and to recommit ourselves to protect our planet against the ravages of climate change.

Open Arms to Re-open "its Doors" September 29

All are most welcome to this small discussion group which meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at various members' homes.  This month it will be at Rick and Tom's house.  We have a meal and discussion, often following a DVD on a topic such as The Cosmos, "Queering" the Bible, Progressive Christianity, etc.  We share the cost of dinner together with any overage going to support Evolve's ministry.  It is always a time of fun and getting to know one another better.  We   gather around 6:30 pm and are usually finished by 9:30. Please RSVP Rick and Tom at 443-867-4997, and they will be happy to give you directions if you need them.  
THIRD THURSDAY COMMUNITY DINNERS AT UCC ANNAPOLIS
Next one will be Thursday, September 17 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in Caton Hall.  Catering is by B.E.S.T. Catering (Building Employment Success Training) from The Light House.  Suggested donation:  $15 for adults; $6 for age 16 and under.  RSVP to Lisa in the office:  410-266-8596, ext. 200.  
Ways to Support our Ministry    
 
Photo by Rick Dove
  Check out 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: 5x7 photocards @$3
  and matted photographs @$10.  Buying these will help
  support Evolve's ministry.  
 
And remember, 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.     
  From Erine
Erine Sedicum
Free Movie Screening: Disney PIXAR "INSIDE OUT"
Location: AACC Campus, Arnold  in CADE Amphitheater
Friday, September 18 at 7:30 pm. Movie Review: War Room
 
Too many think of the movie as a traditional movie about faith and how one must lean on a Higher Power. To me, coming from Original Blessing, it is about how there is a need to find a place where you can release the stress of life's dramas and trust in power of the Kindom.  Using words of encouragement, whether traditional or untraditional, to cause a change.  As I believe in the Kindom of God, our voices are heard through a power greater than our own.  We must believe in the impossible and hold on to our faith despite all!  I want a War Room where I can sit quietly and talk to God about what needs to be done.  I don't care if people misunderstand, as it is my relationship with God.
 
Postscript:  Wayne said in many reflections that you need to find that place where you can just focus on Nothingnesss.  Let go and trust God with anything that needs tending. 
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.  Thank you!
A prize-winning photo by Rick Dove.
Evolve Committee Officers: 
Suzie Robertson, Chair;  Tim Mortimore, Treasurer
Dave Miller, Secretary; Sylvia Oliva, Financial Secretary