July/August 2010 issue of The Tidings, the monthly newsletter of Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, MD

1. The
Tidings
g ood news from
July-august 2010
in this i ssue Pastor’s r eflections
BY r ev. e milY rose m arTin
PasTor’s r eflecTions . 1 emily@browndowntown.org
When I arrived at Brown, there was no active Adult Education Committee, other
Two soloisTs To sing than Henry Taylor, who was serving as the liaison to Session. In more recent months,
aT Tanglewood ............ 2
the Session has begun a process to clarify and rethink the ways that staff, lay
leadership, committees, and the Session work together in ministry at Brown. Henry
news from BUild ..... 2
and I are excited to hear the Session’s recommendations on this matter.
in memoriam In the meantime, as part of our process of planning for Adult Education
of K aTherine sharP ..... 2 this year, Henry Taylor and I are getting input from the congregation in
four different ways: 1) we used an adult forum series to explore and
m eeT an brainstorm, 2) we turned those ideas into an interest-gauging survey for the
organizaTional JUnKie . 3 congregation, 3) we gathered a small and diverse group of adults to reflect on the
survey results and some ideas for next year, and 4) we are engaging the Session in
a ThanK YoU noTe from an extended visioning/planning time during its July meeting.
r achel cUnningham ... 4 In leading the “Thinking outside the Box Series,” one thing that stood out to me
was a meditation exercise, in which 18 of you responded to the question, “What are
highlighTs from you hungry for?” Most of the responses were some variation on 1) connection/
RENEW VBS 2010 ...4 community or 2) spiritual growth/honest exploration of faith. A number of new
efforts in the past year have tried to respond to these hungers, including a new
JUlY and aUgUsT monthly gathering of young adults for food and fellowship; the sharing of prayer
r esPonsiBiliTY concerns in small groups at the Adult Forum and midweek Bible study; increased
schedUles .................. 5
intentionality about connecting each Adult Forum session to faith; a layperson-led,
JUlY and aUgUsT Saturday morning Bible study, prayer, and fellowship group; an “Ask the Pastor”
BirThdaYs................... 6 feature of the Tidings; using Twitter and Facebook to invite daily spiritual
reflection during Lent; an ongoing lectionary-based midweek Bible study led by
JUlY 2010 aT BmPa .... 7 clergy; and an invitation to read The Shack, by William P. Young for a summer-time
discussion of this intriguing theological reflection on forgiveness and the Trinity (my
aUgUsT 2010 interpretation). I was greatly inspired by our Book of Order’s reflections on Christian
aT BmPa ..................... 8 Nurture (another way of talking about Christian Education), and its implications for
our community. For these and other insights from this series on our website – go to
www.browndowntown.org, and click on “About” at the top, then “Adults” on the left
hand side, and scroll down to “Thinking Outside the Box”).
The survey results from January have been analyzed recently; you can view a
summary on our website (See the instructions above.). The idea that generated the
most interest overall was an educational series on Islam and Christianity. I hope that
we can also coordinate such a series with a visit to a mosque by our
confirmands and other interested congregation members. This topic may be one that
is ripe for our next book discussion, also. Other ideas that generated considerable
interest include 1) monthly fellowship groups 2) an educational series drawing on the
perspectives of congregants involved in mission (An Adult Forum and Wednesday
Night at Brown series explored this topic during the spring.); 3) a series on faith and
healing; 4) a series on evangelism; and 5) an intergenerational camping trip.
continued on page 3

2. t wo choir s oloists to sing at tanglewood
BY John walKer, m inisTer of mUsic Canteloube (French songs from the Auvergne Region).
On July 23 Sarah will participate in Mozart’s
During these summer months, two soloists from the Abduction from the Seraglio, with singers from the
Brown Memorial Chancel Choir will attend the Metropolitan Opera performing the lead roles.
high-profile music conference at Tanglewood, located On July 6, Andrew Sauvageau will sing Gustav
in Lenox, Massachusetts. Andrew Sauvageau, current Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn; and on July 31, he
baritone soloist, and Sarah Davis, former will perform Samuel Barber’s Dover Beach. On
soprano soloist, will both spend the August 17, Andrew will also appear in the opera Where
summer at Tanglewood, participating in the Wild Things Are, based upon the book by Maurice
many public performances with stellar Sendak. Andrew will be cast in the role of “The Wild
conductors and vocal coaches. Thing with Horns”.
Earlier this summer, on June 5, Sarah Davis made Next year Andrew will travel to New York City to
her debut performance with the Cleveland Orchestra at repeat the performance of Where the Wild Things Are
Severance Hall, singing With Lilies White, by Matthias with the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center on
Pincher, with the composer conducting. On August 16, April 9. The performance will be preceded by outreach
under the baton of composer-conductor Oliver programs to area schools on April 5 and 6.
Knussen, Sarah Davis will sing the American premiere We are thrilled to witness the success which Sarah
of Elliott Carter’s What Are the Years. Her other and Andrew are achieving in their developing careers.
performances on July 18, 28, and August 11 will feature We wish them every joy and blessing, and we are
songs by Mahler, Robert Schumann, and Joseph grateful to know them as friends and colleagues.
news from Build
BY david nYweide These were powerful responses. In a place where my
I was unsure what to expect from my first BUILD expectations were uncertain at best, I was unprepared for the
neighborhood walk. I lived in the neighborhood on the other effect that the BUILD walk had on my neighbors. There was a
side of Eutaw Place, the one with a reputation of being cleaner shared thirst among them to learn about the recreation center
and safer. I never had a reason to venture and the camp for their children and to be part of a movement
across Eutaw, so at a minimum, the walk that labored for a better community. The effect on me was
afforded me the opportunity to get to know probably just as powerful.
my less-immediate neighbors.
Emily Martin and I joined Angela, a local
resident, in our group of about ten children. In Memoriam
As two white people in a predominantly
black neighborhood, Emily and I would not of a BMPA Member
have had the credibility to walk around with Katherine sharP
clipboards in our hands without Angela — or novemBer 14, 1910 – June 20, 2010
the children. She guided us through the streets while the In 1935, she graduated from the Johns Hopkins
children laughed and chased each other, knocking on all the School of Nursing where she specialized in
doors they could find. We must have been a curious group to
psychiatric nursing. During WWII she
anyone who opened a door: a klatch of boisterous kids and
volunteered at the Cornell Medical Center and
three adults all clad in turquoise T-shirts. The attention we
stirred may have had something to do with the high level of at the Light House School for the Blind in New
responsiveness I noticed from most of the people with whom York. In Baltimore, she volunteered for Meals on
we spoke. Almost everyone with a child instantly recognized Wheels until forced to give up driving at the age
the importance of the recreation center and didn’t hesitate to of 90. A celebration of her life will be held on
write down contact information on the clipboards. One man Sunday August 15, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at Roland
said he grew up going to that recreation center and wanted to Park Place; 830 W. 40th Street, Baltimore,
make sure his child went to the camp. A woman who Maryland 21211. A guest registry is available at
Emily and I encountered started weeping when she realized www.burgee-henss-seitz.com.
how beneficial the camp would be for her two children by
keeping them off the streets.
Page 2 t he t idings July-august 2010

3. m eet an o rganizational JunKie
BY e llen carTer c ooPer by the International Mentoring Association. His office
His family’s roots began in North Dakota. His sought to increase the graduation and retention rates of
parents were born there. His father’s grandfather was international students by securing mentors for them.
a Presbyterian Minister. Uncle Jack was an elder and a Since 1993, following the death of his wife, Bill has
research officer for what is now Ecolab. His father and been drawn to Brown Memorial Church. At first, he
Aunt Bertha were elders and his mother was a deacon. was fascinated by the architecture of BMPA. He was
Since his father traveled extensively for his work, Bill impressed by the welcoming atmosphere of the church,
Wilson, Jr. was born not in North Dakota, but in also. Peggy Obrecht, the Robinson family, and Jane
Shreveport, Louisiana. In this area of the country, the Swope were especially gracious to him.
elder Bill worked on an alternative to oil production Bill describes himself as “an organizational junkie”
which involved extracting oil from shale. An early who frequently is elected or selected as the secretary
fascination with books was sparked by Bill’s paternal of the group. He is currently the vice president (former
aunt who was employed by the Veteran’s president) of the Maryland Conservation Council. He
Administration as a librarian. His main interest was holds membership in the Maryland Library
reading books about architecture. Association, and in the Citizens for Maryland
At Louisiana Libraries. Additionally, Bill belongs to sixteen
State University, environmental organizations.
Bill’s fascination Another task Bill has on his plate is to organize the
with the written graduate library alumni for the 50th class reunion in
word continued, October 2010, at the University of Michigan. Although
but he pursued books have been his companions most of his life, Bill
and was awarded always seeks human connections. Indeed, this
a degree in “organizational junkie” has also been described by
economics. those who know him as a “collector of broken winged
Ensuring that friends, a helper to people who need a friend.”
he would always
have access to Pastor’s r eflections
libraries, Bill continued from page 1
was awarded a Since the surveys were collected, leadership and ideas
Bill Wilson, Jr. graduate degree have continued to emerge, and you can look forward to
in library science some exciting opportunities in the coming year,
from the University of Michigan. including a number of offerings by the Diversity
Beloit College handed Bill his first job, but he Committee around the issue of Mental Illness. During
journeyed to and worked in Illinois and Arizona. the fall, the Wednesday Night at Brown Committee has
Somehow, the lure of the East Coast brought him to planned series around Faith and Humor, Stewardship,
Enoch Pratt Library’s Central Branch, to the University and Food. I recently became aware of a kind of
of Maryland at College Park, and to a lady who became introduction to “Progressive Christianity” DVD and
his wife. discussion series, called Living the Questions. It features
Bill’s late wife, Jane Bromley, settled in Baltimore. such commentators as Walter Brueggemann, Amy
They purchased a “rehabbed” house in Barre Circle in Jill-Levine, Brian McClaren, Hans Kung John
the southern part of the city. Jane, too, was a lover of Dominic Crossan, Helen Prejean, and John Bell. In
the printed word. She wrote The Very Quiet Baltimore, addition to providing stimulating conversation among our
a book about cemeteries in the city. It was Jane who members, Rev. Foster Connors and I wonder if a series
first established a connection with Brown Memorial like this would be ripe for some targeted outreach and
through Peggy Parks, a member of the congregation. evangelism to the broader community.
At the University of Maryland, Bill taught in the It is truly a gift to serve as your associate pastor. I
College of Information Studies for thirty years. He was continue to be inspired by the gifts, interests, and
enticed from retirement to be the university’s Diversity dedication of the members here. If you did not fill out the
Officer. After retiring from that position, once again he survey in January, but would like to provide leadership
returned to head the Mentoring Program. The program for a small group, educational series, or fellowship event,
grew out of the diversity effort and was undergirded please let me know.
July-august 2010 t he t idings Page 3

4. A ThANk You NoTE from rAchEl cuNNiNghAm
As I reflect back on another great Vacation Bible It would be impossible to pull off Vacation Bible
School, there is much for which to be grateful. School without the many volunteers who gave their
Thirty-five children, ages 3-11, spent the week time and talents to make this week possible. Special
learning about God’s beautiful creation thanks to: Erika Brockman, Barbara Christen, Rachel
and how we can take care of it for future Clark, James Cunningham, Maya Deane-Polyak, Erin
generations. We studied the Parable of the Emerick, Andrew and Kate Foster Connors, Bud and
Sower and learned that we are all seeds Carol Graves, Julie Hanks, Linda Holfelder, Nicholas
planted by God. We talked about how God’s seed takes Imparato, Emily Martin, Laurie May, Laura McConnell,
root in us and grows and how sometimes that seed is Jack McManus, Micheline McManus, Nicole
challenged, but when we face those challenges together Mitchell, Karen Nelson, Betsy Nix, Tim Nohe,
with God we can live in harmony. Elizabeth Reichelt, Graham Richardson, Lauren
We sang songs (some of which made up the music for Richardson, Elden Schneider, Rob Tracy, John Tucker,
worship on June 27th), played games, created art, and John Warmath and all those who donated items from our
shared snacks all the while being in community with wish list. I am grateful for your ministry to our children.
one another. Vacation Bible School is a wonderful time
to come together to play and learn in the sacred beauty Blessings,
of our church and community. Rachel Cunningham
highlighTS from RENEW VBS 2010
Page 4 t he t idings July-august 2010

5. r esPonsiBility schedule 10 a. m. worshiP service
If you have a conflict with this schedule – please call others on the list to make a swap. Then inform the church office of these changes
at (410)523-1542 or sharon@browndowntown.org.
J uly 15th Elizabeth Cavallon & Josephine Finney
22nd Katie Egan & Annie Schindler
acolytes
29th James Cunningham & Nicholas Imparato
4th Peter Coulson & Erin Emerick
11th Warner & Peter Luljak
audio engineer
18th Trevor Bishai & Jake Schindler
1st J.D. Robinson
25th Samuel Todd & Jihar Williams
8th Don Peeples
15th Brantley Davis
audio engineer
22nd Bud Graves
4th Don Peeples
29th Adrienne Williams
11th Doug Adams
18th Adrienne Williams
children’s church volunteers
25th Brantley Davis
1st Andy & Michelle Zabel
8th Linnea Cheseldine
children’s church volunteers
15th Brantley Davis
4th Grace Peng & Mehran Armand
22nd Jim & Joanne Egan
11th Elizabeth & Charles Reichelt
29th Kate Foster Connors
18th Rachel & Daryl Smith
25th Jim & Theresa Veatch
coffee hour hosts
1st Court & Sally Robinson
coffee hour hosts
8th Rose Glorioso & Donna Senft
4th Jenny Williams & Jonathon Barnes
15th Beth Gregory and Hugh Calkins
11th Rachel, James & Evan Cunningham
22nd Cheryl and Steward Finney
18th Will & Erika Brockman
29th Soulful Revue Spouses
25th Brad & Nancy Bradford
communion P reParation
communion P reParation
1st Barbara Cates
4th Barbara Christen
communion servers
communion servers
1st Ellen Carter Cooper
4th Ellen Carter Cooper
Hilbert Byers
Hilbert Byers
John Tucker
John Tucker
greeters
greeters
1st Liz Bowie & Will Fesperman
4th Rachel, James & Evan Cunningham
8th Bill & Laura McConnell
11th Cheryl & Stewart Finney
15th Kathy Graning & Katie Rhodes
18th Ian Brown & Stephanie Lopez
22nd Nancy Bandiere & Monica Rakowski
25th Barbara Clippinger & Luke Clippinger
29th Taylor Branch & Christy Macy
liturgist
liturgist
4th John Tucker
1st Brantley Davis
11th Annie Bishai
8th Jenny Williams
18th Graham Richardson
15th Deborah Milcarek
25th Karen Nelson
22nd Shirley Parry
29th Betsey Todd
offertory counters
Ken Mills & Andy Ross
offertory counters
Page Campbell & Bill McConnell
ushers
Monica Rakowski, David Rollison, John Warmath, &
ushers
Jenny Williams
Sarah Buikema, Anne Heuisler, David Mock, Betsy
august Nix, Charlie Obrecht & Peggy Obrecht
acolytes
1st Graham Bishai & James Cavallon
8th Mather English & Grace Todd
July-august 2010 t he t idings Page 5

6. July Birthdays 08/01
08/04
Malinda Peeples
William McConnell IV (Bill)
07/01 Elizabeth Bishai 08/04 Neal Naff
07/01 Phyllis Conner 08/05 Chuck Holland
07/03 John Howard De Hoff 08/09 Donald McPherson
07/03 Peter Hoffberger 08/11 Mehran Armand
07/03 Andree Molling 08/11 Judy Coho
07/03 Lehn Robinson 08/11 Lynne Jackson
07/03 Tom Waldron 08/11 Emily Rose Martin
07/05 Will Fesperman 08/12 Gilly Babb
07/05 Frederick Lazarus V 08/13 David Todd
07/06 Hannah Milcarek 08/14 George Brown
07/06 J. D. Robinson 08/15 Cecelia Reichelt
07/09 Charlie Obrecht 08/15 Sallie Robinson
07/12 Anna Connors 08/17 Elizabeth Williams
07/12 Rose Glorioso 08/20 Jack McManus
07/13 Andrew Babb 08/20 Betsey Todd
07/13 Benita Low 08/21 James Egan
07/15 Franklin Branch 08/21 Anna Lazarus
07/16 Liam Stanton Abernethy 08/24 Carol Graves
07/18 Rachel Emerick 08/24 Terry Lorch
07/19 Rachel E. Clark 08/24 Laura McConnell
07/21 Hilbert Byers 08/26 Evan Cunningham
07/22 Wells Obrecht 08/27 W. Courtland Robinson
07/24 Doug Adams 08/28 Andy Imparato
07/25 Gerald Shields 08/29 Anna Hughes
07/26 Ed Nicol 08/29 Oliver Schmickel
07/27 Ellen B. Williams 08/31 Gareth Imparato
07/31 Valerie Hinkle 08/31 Henry Waldron
07/31 Aidan Lorch-Liebel
august Birthdays Note: If you wish to have your birthday listed in The
Tidings, please contact Sharon Holley, church secretary, at
08/01 Deb Milcarek 410-523-1542, or via e-mail at Sharon@browndowntown.org.
The
Tidings
Published monthly for members and friends of Brown
Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church by the
Membership Committee. Andrew Foster Connors, Pastor.
Emily Rose Martin, Associate Pastor. 1316 Park Avenue,
Baltimore, MD 21217. 410.523.1542.
g ood news from www.browndowntown.org. Send contributions by
the 15th of each month to Ellen Carter Cooper, editor
(edccooper58@hotmail.com) or to Sharon Holley,
church secrectary (sharon@browndowntown.org).
Page 6 t he t idings July-august 2010

7. July 2010 BmPa
Page 7
at
s undAy M ondAy tuesdAy WednesdAy thursdAy FridAy s AturdAy
t he t idings
1 2 3
Saturday Morning Bible Study
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Service of Worship 10 a.m. Art Camp 9 a.m.-Noon Art Camp 9 a.m.-Noon Art Camp 9 a.m.-Noon Art Camp 9 a.m.-Noon Art Camp 9 a.m.-Noon Saturday Morning Bible Study
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
Midweek Bible Study
2 p.m-3 p.m. Global Mission Meeting
7 p.m.
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Service of Worship 10 a.m. Session Meeting Midweek Bible Study Dessert and Discussion
6:30 p.m. 2 p.m-3 p.m. of “The Shack” 7 p.m.
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Midweek Bible Study
Service of Worship 10 a.m. 2 p.m-3 p.m.
CFM Team Meeting
12:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Service of Worship 10 a.m. Midweek Bible Study Wedding and Reception
2 p.m-3 p.m. 4 p.m-11 p.m.
July-august 2010
1 A ugust
Service of Worship 10 a.m.

8. august 2010 BmPa
July-august 2010
at
s undAy M ondAy tuesdAy WednesdAy thursdAy FridAy s AturdAy
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Service of Worship 10 a.m. Midweek Bible Study Saturday Morning Bible Study
2 p.m-3 p.m. 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Service of Worship 10 a.m. Session Meeting Midweek Bible Study Saturday Morning Bible Study
6:30 p.m. 2 p.m-3 p.m. 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Service of Worship 10 a.m. Midweek Bible Study Saturday Morning Bible Study
2 p.m-3 p.m. 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
CFM Team Meeting
12:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Midweek Bible Study Middle School Lock-in Middle School Lock-in
Service of Worship 10 a.m. 2 p.m-3 p.m. 6:30 p.m-11:30 p.m. 12 a.m.-9 a.m.
Saturday Morning Bible Study
8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
29 30 31 1 s epteMber 2 3 4
Service of Worship 10 a.m. Midweek Bible Study Saturday Morning Bible Study
2 p.m-3 p.m. 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
t he t idings
Page 8