1. The
Tidings
G ood news from
sePtember 2010
in this i ssue Pastor’s r eflections
PasTor’s r eflecTions ..1 by r ev. a ndew fosTer c onnors
andrew@browndowntown.org
a new hymnal for The We cleaned house this week. I mean the kind of “throw everything in the
P resbyTerian church ..2 center of the room and start pitching stuff you’ve held onto forever” kind of
winTley P hiPPs o Pens cleaning that only happens once a year, at best, in my house. Usually I’m the
Tiffany series season .3 reluctant cleaner in my household, but on Monday, I wouldn’t quit – “let’s
go through these books,” “let’s look under this bed,” “let’s go
new d irecTor of through this closet.” Crazed with the cleanliness bug, Kate was
h andbells aPPoinTed .3 eyeing me with suspicion wondering when this fever would break.
ringers needed If she had seen my study at the church, she would have known
for ocTober 24, 2010 ...3 that the cleaning bug had already bitten me there earlier in the summer. (If you
like clean spaces, come see it before the end of September).
ask The PasTor ...........4 On reflection, I can see my whirlwind probably has a lot to do with
impending transitions. Vacation was ending and we’re on the cusp of a new
new m embers
welcomed ..................4 year. Both of our children will be in full-day school this year. Kate, as you’ve
heard, will be looking for new work this fall. My cleaning craze probably had
a l ifelong l ove of a lot to do with battening down the hatches at home and at church before all
h elPing c hildren these journeys begin; making life seaworthy before the ship heads out into
i mProve Their r eading 5 unpredictable weather, into waters that ebb and flow.
r eaders needed The reflection brought to mind one of my favorite texts in all of the Bible,
aT euTaw-m arshburn ..5 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are
mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the
a new Time rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not
for sunday school .....5 be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (Isaiah 43) I’ve loved this
sePTember a dulT forum text for a number of reasons. It’s honest – when you pass through waters and
schedule ...................5 rivers, not if. I like it because it provides comfort and inspires courage at the
same time. I’ve got to walk through waters and rivers and fires – something
sePTember difficult will be required from me. But I can do those things because the Lord
r esPonsibiliTy is with me. I like it because it roots current experience in a larger narrative
schedule ...................6
than my own. If you know the wider narrative – how the Israelites walked
news from The through water from slavery to freedom – then you can see your own
diversiTy commiTTee ..6 contemporary challenge in the light of that history of promise, struggle,
wilderness, and redemption.
worshiP schedule I like this text because it speaks to me, but also pulls me back into the larger
r eminder ...................6
narrative of God’s concern with the community, the place where I belong. As
sePTember birThdays ..7 we approach a new year, this text reminds me that journeys are best when we
approach them together, situating our personal narratives into the larger
in memoriam ..............7 narrative that comforts, inspires, challenges, promises, and brings us hope.
That narrative is there for us in community no matter what winds or waves
sePTember 2010
aT bmPa .....................8
come our way. I hope to see you on board when we pull up anchor on
September 12!
2. a new hymnal for the P resbyterian church
by John walker, m inisTer of music in worship in the past year by at least three-fourths of
john@browndowntown.org those surveyed.
Approximately once every twenty years, the Why is a new hymnal necessary? “The church keeps
Presbyterian Church adopts a new hymnal for our changing, and new collections are called for every
denomination. My personal library contains my twenty to twenty-five years to reflect those changes,”
grandparents’ copies of the 1895 and 1911 hymnals, as writes Bringle. “With the possibility of continually
well as the 1933 (green) Hymnal which supplementing a print volume with digital materials
was in use during my childhood and made available to subscribers on the Web, we have
which nurtured many of us in our faith opportunities never before available to a ‘hymnal
journeys. With the Hymnal 1990 now in committee’ for staying attuned to the ever-expanding
its 21st reprinting, we Presbyterians are repertoire of resources for singing new songs together
planning to create a new hymnal! Having been to God.”
appointed two years ago by General Assembly, the Our Hymnal is also a “global family album.” The
New Hymnal Committee is already well along its theological vision statement written to guide the work
assigned path, with a goal to present the new hymnal of the committee states that “when we sing together
to General Assembly four years from now, in 2014. in worship, first and foremost we are singing to, of,
One of the first decisions of this committee was to and for the God who is Lord of all creation…. We do
change its name; it is now known as the “Presbyterian not sing hymns and songs because they were birthed
Committee on Congregational Song”. in our culture; we sing them because they teach us
Writing in Call to Worship, committee chairperson Mary something about the richness that is in God. Or as the
Louise Bringle describes these volumes as family old hymn puts it: There’s wideness in God’s mercy,
albums, with each denominational family displaying like the wideness of the sea. Singing global songs is
its unique history within its hymnal. “As one way of setting sail.”
denominational families, we each have our own Andrew Donaldson, co-editor of the Canadian Book
particular memories to cherish and legacies to of Praise, insists that “we are not just singing for the
preserve.” She cites as an example that the person seated next to us, but also for the person not
Presbyterian Hymnal contains only 11 hymns by yet in the pews…when, God willing, we will be seated
Charles Wesley while the Methodist Hymnal includes side by side with Mandarin Chinese and Japanese
40 of Wesley’s hymns. By contrast our Presbyterian and Portuguese and Cherokee…when we are truly
heritage is the singing of Psalms, the only music gathered from north and south and east and west, to
authorized by John Calvin. Therefore our present feast at the table of the Lord.”
hymnal contains 101 Psalm settings, many tracing Tasked with an enormous responsibility, the
their origin to Calvin’s music director Louis Committee on Congregational Song is moving
Bourgeois and to our Scottish forebears. Therefore we forward steadily on schedule. On June 1 of this year
have many tunes such as Caithness, Dunfermline, the committee closed submissions of new materials
and Dundee. for consideration. We can anticipate that soon our
The Committee on Congregational Song has congregation will receive samples of new hymnody
selected representative congregations throughout for our experimentation and reaction to the
America to participate in analysis of our present committee. My good friend Karen Hastings Flegel,
hymnal and to review certain materials for the new member of the committee, reports that she and her
publication. Brown Memorial Church was designated colleagues sense their involvement in a matter of
two years ago to participate in this study. From infinite spiritual importance, not only for themselves
nationwide responses to the survey, one of the least but also for the whole church, both now and in the
used sections of the 1990 Hymnal is the portion future. We await the opportunity to add the collective
devoted to the Psalms, our family heritage! Of those voice of our congregation to the formation of our
101 items, 85 were reported as never having been used new book.
§
PaGe 2 t he t idinGs sePtember 2010
3. wintley P hiPPs, G osPel sinGer
and d ream academy founder
o Pens t iffany series season
Get ready for an incredible experience!! Baritone Wintley Phipps, renowned gospel
singer, pastor, and education activist, will open this season’s Tiffany Series with a
concert on Sunday, September 26 at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary.
In a 30-year career singing spirituals, Phipps has performed for the last five
sitting American presidents. His celebrated rendition of “Amazing Grace” – which
he sang at the Inaugural Prayer Breakfast for President Barack Obama, as well as at
Carnegie Hall – has been viewed on YouTube almost five million times. (Go to
YouTube and search: “Wintley Phipps and Amazing Grace”)
He will be introduced by Dr. Ben Carson, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at
Johns Hopkins Hospital.
A two-time Grammy Award nominee, Rev. Phipps has sung for former South
African President Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pope John Paul II,
and the Billy Graham Crusades, as well as for the Rosa Parks Birthday Celebration.
Phipps will also speak briefly about the U.S. Dream Academy, the national
after-school program he founded to provide mentoring and tutoring to children
Wintley Phipps whose parents are incarcerated. Baltimore’s Dream Academy Learning Center at
Collington Square Elementary School was one of the organization’s earliest centers.
It serves approximately 500 students in pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade.
General admission is $15; students pay $5. Children 10 and under attend for free. Advance sale tickets (recommended)
are available after worship on Sundays, and in the church office during the week.
new director Ringers Needed for
of h andbells a PPointed October 24, 2010
Hi everyone! I am very excited for the opportunity to
by John walker, m inisTer of music conduct the handbell choir, and can’t wait to get started this fall.
During the months since we have been aware of I know I have big shoes to fill! Playing in a handbell choir is a
Chrystie Adams’ impending move to South Dakota to uniquely rewarding experience, since dedication and teamwork
engage in full-time mission activity, we have been are just as important as, if not more than, individual musical
conducting a search for a successor as Director of abilities. So, no matter what your musical background or ability,
Handbells. I am delighted to report that this search there’s a spot for you in the handbell choir!
process has resulted in the selection and appointment of Right now we are looking for volunteers to ring together in
Lydia Beasley as the new Director of Handbells. Lydia the very special Brown Downtown 30th Anniversary Service on
will assume this responsibility in September. Sunday morning, October 24. Because our handbells share the
We already know Lydia as soprano soloist in the historic relationship between the Park Avenue and Woodbrook
Chancel Choir, where in addition to her great churches, we will open that Anniversary Service with ringing of
musicianship’ she contributes her engaging the handbells. Practice times are scheduled at 6:30 p.m. on five
personality. Before coming to Baltimore, Lydia was Wednesday evenings, September 22, 29, and October 6, 13, and
Minister of Music at Belmont Baptist Church in 20, coordinated with the other activities of Wednesday Nights
Charlottesville, Virginia, conducting both vocal and at Brown. We need YOU to help us in this way to celebrate the
handbell choirs. She brings that experience and skill 30th anniversary of our church!
with her great enthusiasm to the life of our If you are able to be part of this five-week project, know of
congregation at Brown Memorial Church. someone who might like to participate, or have any questions or
I encourage you to welcome Lydia to her expanded suggestions about the group, please let me know by emailing me
musical role within our church life. If you are between at leeleeput@gmail.com or calling my cell phone at
the ages of 12 and 120, now would be the perfect time 434-760-1709. Thank you! I’m looking forward to speaking with
for you to speak with Lydia about playing handbells! you and sharing together the joy of playing handbells!
– Lydia Beasley
sePtember 2010 t he t idinGs PaGe 3
4. a sk the Pastor
by r ev. e mily rose m arTin names to describe God: Midwife, Mother, Mother bear,
emily@browndowntown.org Woman, Baker, Eagle, Hen, Potter. Can you find these
references in scripture? Even the early church “Fathers”
Q: “Why do you always change the beginning of the Lord’s sometimes used feminine language to describe God.
Prayer? It’s confusing because I never know what to say.” St. Augustine wrote, “He who has promised us heavenly food
has nourished us on milk, having recourse to a mother’s
A: You’re right! It is confusing. I agree with you that there tenderness. For just as a mother, suckling her infant, transfers
is something powerful about a prayer that everyone knows by from her flesh the very same food which would be unsuited to
heart, and if we keep varying the opening address to God, it a babe…so our Lord, in order to convert His wisdom into milk
loses some of that power. When I use this prayer in pastoral for our benefit, came to us clothed in flesh” (Second Discourse
care situations, I almost always begin, “Our on the Psalms).
? Father,” for exactly that reason.
The problem with always beginning the
Lord’s Prayer, this way, particularly in public
worship, is that it can communicate to people that using
I don’t want anxiety about what name to use for God to be
the primary emotion when we say the Lord’s Prayer, so we
will try printing the entire text of the prayer in the
bulletin with the language for God that we will use that week.
masculine language for God is the “right” way to pray, and But, from a purely theological standpoint, I’m not sure there’s
that God is male, or at least more male than female. I agree anything wrong with a diversity of God-names ascending
with feminist scholars who have concluded that in the simultaneously from our congregation each Sunday during the
Christian tradition, “Father” language for God has crossed Prayers of the People. In fact, that might be the most faithful
the line into idolatry. Not only does the Bible use a variety of way of all to speak God’s name.
images and language to describe and address God, it is clear * “Ask the Pastor” is a new feature of The Tidings. You may
that God is beyond all our language and understanding – God submit a liturgical or scriptural question to be answered by
is neither male nor female. one of the Pastors to Ellen Carter Cooper at
When Moses asks God to reveal God’s name to him in edccooper58@hotmail.com. The deadline for questions is the
Exodus 3:14, God replies, “I am who I am” or “I will be who I 15th of every month.
will be” or “I am becoming what I am becoming.” The actual
Hebrew letters for the name of God, YHWH, are all new m embers
welcomed
“unstable” letters in the Hebrew alphabet. That means that
their presence in a word indicates that that word will probably
not follow the predictable grammatical patterns when it Earlier this summer we had several new families join
changes tense, voice, number, etc. Letters will change, be the church, please join us in welcoming:
dropped, or suddenly appear. To me, this is simply another Jason and Michelle Setty and their son, Beau –
way for God to communicate to us that God is alive and Jason and Michelle were encouraged to attend by other
unpredictable. God does not follow our rules. God constantly members and have said that they feel what others have
eludes our grasp. said that, “Our church is about “us” in a very “me”
But refraining from all God-talk in an effort to avoid culture”.
idolatry is not the answer. The most faithful alternative, in Tom Stewart and Taylor McKinney – Tom is the
my opinion, is to use as many different Biblical images and son of a Presbyterian minister and Taylor comes from a
descriptors of God as have meaning for us, and to vary them Baptist background. Taylor is a teacher and has helped
often. We should include “Father” language, but not use it in the past with BUILD. Tom works for a
Congressman on the Hill. Both of them are working on
exclusively. This is also the approach that our denomination
advanced degrees at night. Tom and Taylor have
has taken in the last four decades. The PCUSA brochure Well
interests in working with the youth and Urban Witness.
Chosen Words provides a good summary of both the rationale Eric and Kim Echols – Both are from Waco, Texas
for using inclusive language for human beings (language that and moved to Baltimore when Eric went to Peabody.
refers to both men and women) and the diverse language for Eric and Kim listened to a sermon or two online and
God found in our scriptures, creeds, and early church were impressed by the music. They have been drawn in
theologians (www.pcusa.org/resource/well-chosen-words). by a feeling of Brown Memorial being a “judgment
The Bible uses the following lesser known images and free zone”.
PaGe 4 t he t idinGs sePtember 2010
5. a lifelonG l ove of h elPinG children
i mProve their r eadinG
by Tom waldron Hill, has also devoted herself to building and
When the Brown Memorial Tutoring Program starts organizing the Tutoring Program’s library, which lines
back up this fall, one volunteer will need very one wall of the Sunday School’s meeting space. She has
little assistance. participated in several classes to prepare her to work
After all, it will be June Carr’s 44th consecutive year with children with dyslexia.
as a Brown Memorial tutor – nearly half a century spent As a girl growing up in the English city of Bristol,
instilling a love of reading in Baltimore’s young people. June loved to read, and fondly remembers feasting on
Over the years, she has tutored close to 50 people (some Rudyard Kipling and books by Arthur Ransome.
years she tutored more than one child), some of whom “I couldn’t imagine,” she says, “someone not being
are well into middle age. able to pick up a book and read as a child.”
The tutoring is focused on reading, but it is extremely The Brown Memorial Tutoring Program salutes June
valuable, she says, to develop a connection with Carr, volunteer extraordinaire!
a student. The Brown Memorial Tutoring Program offers
“I think it’s important for children to know there one-on-one tutoring to elementary school students once
are people who care what happens to them,” she says. a week through the school year. Volunteers are needed
“They don’t get the one-on-one attention in school. and training and hands-on support is provided by the
They need to realize there are people out there who are program’s two staff persons. For more information,
looking out for them.” contact Director Martha Socolar by calling the church
Mrs. Carr, who is 81 years old and lives in Bolton office: 410-523-1542.
r eaders needed sePtember
at eutaw-marshburn adult forum schedule
by sandra f ink sePt. 12 – BUILD updates us on their fall strategy
“ONCE UPON A TIME.................” – if these words thrill you, about shaping the election around issues that matter.
or, at least, make you smile, you might want to become a Brown
Memorial reader at Eutaw Marshburn Elementary School! sePt. 19-oct. 31 – A video-discussion series
We read to students in the kindergarten through fifth grade called “Living the Questions,” facilitated by
on a bi-weekly schedule. The commitment is for ONE HOUR Rev. Proctor and other members of the congregation
(reading to two classrooms for 25 minutes each). This is an to address key questions of faith for Christians who
enrichment program, enabling readers to choose their own consider themselves to be “progressive.”
take note
books – fairy tales, fables, brand new stories, old favorites,
nature, legends, sports, or anything else. The children also
enjoy poetry!
g o Green wiTh your coPy of THE TIDINGS!
The children love having someone to read to them, the
Now that our new website is complete and we have a direct
teachers like having the readers come and so, it is a most
link to the most recent Tidings publication help us go
rewarding experience. Come and join us! For more
GREEN by receiving your copy online. Receiving email
information, please contact Karen Nelson at 410-466-6106
notification of when the latest Tidings is available for
or KarenLBN@comcast.net.
reading will help us cut down on the environmental and
a new time for financial costs of printing and mailing paper copies. If you
would like to receive e-mail notification of when the latest
sunday school Tidings is available, please send Sharon Holley an email at
sharon@browndowntown.org. She will need your name
All Sunday School classes will begin at 9:45 a.m. and end and email address. Also, check our website
at 10:45 a.m. This change will match the rehearsal schedule directly for updates at www.browndowntown.org/index.
for the choir, as well as make it easier for families and worship php?s=newsletter to download the latest Tidings. Thanks
leaders to make the transition from Sunday school to worship for helping us to be better stewards of God’s
without shortchanging the educational program. magnificent creation.
sePtember 2010 t he t idinGs PaGe 5
6. sePtember r esPonsibility s chedule
11 a. m. worshiP service
If you have a conflict with this schedule – please call others on offertory counters
the list to make a swap. Then inform the church office of these darin crew & bud Graves
changes at 410-523-1542 or sharon@browndowntown.org.
ushers
acolytes t.b.a.
news
5th evan cunninGham & Jack mitchell
12th rachel & kenna emerick from the
19th trevor bishai & will coulson
26th t.b.a. d iversity committee
The Diversity Committee is very pleased to announce the
audio enGineer long-awaited completion of the ramp to the rear porch of the
5th don P eePles Church House. This building is now accessible for the first
12th adrienne williams time, and people with physical disabilities will
19th brantley davis be able to attend the many events and
26th bud Graves gatherings held there. The committee is
appreciative to the Session and the Trustees for
children’s church volunteer supporting this endeavor. We are pleased with
the workmanship of George Brown’s Greenleaf Remodeling
5th michelle & Jim loGan
Company, both for the ramp design and construction and for
12th bill mcconnell
their rebuilding of the back porch floor and columns. Once
19th tom & micheline mcmanus the ramp has had 3-6 months to become seasoned, it will be
26th nicole mitchell stained the same color as the back porch floor. This ramp is
the latest in an ongoing initiative by the Committee and the
coffee hour hosts Church to make the church fully accessible, as outward signs
5th t.b.a. of God’s inclusive love.
12th t.b.a. In the fall, the committee will focus on the area of support
19th t.b.a. for people with mental illness and their families. We will
26th melissa & allan riorda sponsor an Adult Forum series on mental illness in the
workplace in November, and Co-Chair Page Campbell will
communion P reParation deliver a sermon on mental illness/brain disorders on
5th sandra fink November 21. The desire to prepare and deliver the sermon
was inspired by recent personal experience with serious
mental illness in her family, which resulted in a great deal of
communion servers
consciousness-raising about the phenomenon, its effects on
5th andy imParato those who suffer from such illnesses, and those who care for
andy Johnston them. It also raised the question of what we are called to do as
carol Graves members of Christ’s Church to support people struggling with
carol newill such problems Along those lines, the committee also hopes to
explore how this Church can be as welcoming and supportive
Greeters as possible to those who deal with such issues, whether they’re
5th deb milcarek & court robinson already members of our congregation or may wish to join us.
12th brad & nancy bradford
worshiP
19th michelle & Jim loGan
26th melissa & allan riorda
s chedule r eminder
liturGist
5th barbara cates
The Sunday worship service
12th taylor branch begins at 11 a.m.
19th youth starting September 12th
26th elden schneider
PaGe 6 t he t idinGs sePtember 2010
7. sePtember birthdays 09/28
09/28
Donna Senft
Jim Veatch
09/02 Max Blinkoff
09/29 Elizabeth Garcia-Bunuel
09/02 Monica Rakowski
09/29 Lisa Hoffberger
09/02 Mary Randall
09/03 Hilda Imhoff Note: If you wish to have your birthday listed in The
09/04 James E. Cox Tidings, please contact Sharon Holley, church secretary, at
09/04 Ang Robinson 410-523-1542, or via e-mail at Sharon@browndowntown.org.
09/08 Elisabeth McMillan
09/10 Azra Sara Bartell
09/10
09/10
Jacqueline L. Cole
Micheline Manus
In Memoriam
09/10 Anne Sledge PhiliP i. heuisler, iii
09/11 Elizabeth Bernos october 28, 1936 – July 30, 2010
09/13 Emma Fesperman Phil was the husband of, long-time member
09/14 John Burton and Deacon, Anne Wilson Heuisler. He was a
retired Baltimore businessman and longtime jazz
09/14 Youngmi Song
aficionado. “He had a strong sense of priorities:
09/16 Nannette Mitchell
wife, family, Catholic faith, friends, jazz and
09/16 Karen Nelson golf,” his brother said. “He ecumenically loved
09/16 Linell Smith people.” Phil will be deeply missed by his wife,
09/18 Nicole Mitchell children and grandchildren and by all who
09/20 Trevor Bishai knew him.
09/22 Lynn Clippinger frederick c. Petrich
09/22 Dylan Aaron Smith
aPril 10, 1926 – July 14, 2010
Fred was a retired faculty member at Peabody
09/24 Luke Clippinger
and a voice teacher who was instrumental in
09/24 Barbara Hull Francis saving our choir in the early days of our
09/24 Helen Logan separation from Brown Memorial Woodbrook by
09/25 Jack Burton providing Peabody students. A memorial service
09/25 Mia Goodwin Davis will be held Sunday, September 5th at 3:00 p.m.
09/25 Sabine Goodwin Davis at Brown Memorial Park Avenue.
09/25 Grace Peng
09/28 Keiffer Mitchell, Jr.
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).
sePtember 2010 t he t idinGs PaGe 7
8. sePtember 2010 bmPa
sePtember 2010
at
S unday M onday TueSday WedneSday ThurSday Friday S aTurday
29 a uguST 30 31 1 S epTeMber 2 3 4
Service of Worship 10 a.m. Midweek Bible Study
2 p.m-3 p.m.
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Service of Worship 10 a.m. Labor Day Midweek Bible Study
Memorial Service for 2 p.m-3 p.m.
Fred Petrich 3 p.m.
12 Sunday School,
Adult Forum, 13 14 15 16 17 18
Choir Warm-Up Midweek Bible Study
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Deacon’s Meeting 6:30 p.m. Primary Election Polling Place 2 p.m-3 p.m.
Service of Worship 11 a.m. for Cong. Dist. 7 Council, Dist.
11, Leg. Dist. 40 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m. WN@B
Rally Day Church Picnic 5:30 p.m-7:30 p.m.
4 p.m.-7 p.m. Session Meeting
6:30 p.m.
19 Sunday School,
Adult Forum, 20 21 22 23 24 25
Choir Warm-Up Midweek Bible Study Middle School/High School Middle School/High School
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. 2 p.m-3 p.m. Retreat Retreat
Service of Worship 11 a.m. WN@B 6:30 p.m-11:30 p.m.
Rally Day Church Picnic 5:30 p.m-7:30 p.m.
Rain Date
26 Sunday School,
Adult Forum, 27 28 29 30 1 o cTober 2
Choir Warm-Up Midweek Bible Study
Bolton Hill Nursery School 2 p.m-3 p.m.
9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
Board Meeting 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. WN@B
Service of Worship 11 a.m.
t he t idinGs
Middle School/High School 5:30 p.m-7:30 p.m.
Retreat
Tiffany Series Concert 3 p.m.
PaGe 8